Method and apparatus for improved personal communication devices and systems

ABSTRACT

Contact data in a database for a wireless personal communication device are remotely updatable from, or transferable between, a computer system using a radio frequency connection. New contact data, and changes or updates to existing contact data, are input at the computer system or the personal communication device and may be utilized in the personal communication device to initiate contact with, or establish the identity of, actual or potential communicants. Contact data including name, telephone number, address, sound or image information associated with actual or potential communicants is transferred between a computer system and a personal communication device utilizing a radio frequency connection. The personal communication device can be a cellular telephone, PDA or pager, and may also include interfaces for local programming of contact data from a removable keyboard. Additionally, updates and transfers between a computer system and a personal communication device may be accomplished utilizing a serial, parallel or infrared interface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 10/033,824, filedDec. 19, 2001; which is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/726,024, filedOct. 4, 1996, which claims priority of Ser. No. 60/005,029, filed Oct.6, 1995 and is also a CIP of Ser. No. 08/177,851, filed Jan. 5, 1994 nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,278,862.

This Application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 USC§§119 and/or 120, and 37 CFR §§1.60 and 1.78 to the following U.S. andU.S. provisional patent applications, and is a continuation-in-part ofthe U.S. patent application:

1. U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/005,029, filed onOct. 6, 1995, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Improved PagingReceiver and System”;

2. U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 08/726,024, filed on1 Oct. 4, 1996, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Improved PagingReceiver and System”; and

3. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/177,851, filed on Jan. 5, 1994,entitled “Method and Apparatus for Enhancing the Efficient Communicationof Information in an Alphanumeric Paging Network,” now U.S. Pat. No.6,278,862.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to communications systems and inparticular to wireless communications systems which include pagingdevices.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Numerous companies are attempting to improve the manner in which peoplecommunication over wireless systems. The present invention addressesmany deficiencies in the prior art systems.

The following discussion is specifically related to stored voice pagingreceivers and paging systems.

In stored voice paging receivers it is possible to receive voicemessages which may be heard by a called party. In the prior art systemsis shown a method in which voice messages may be stored at a pagingcenter from a calling party and then the message may be transmitted to apaging receiver. These systems typically include pager ID control dataalong with any voice message for playback through a codec unit at thepaging receiver. The codec converts the data received into an audioreproduction of the calling party's voice message that may be heard froma speaker or sound output device in the paging receiver.

Such devices are useful in that the called party may have a voicemessage delivered to them rather than having to call in to a messagecenter or voice mail center.

However, in part, the popularity of such devices has been limited inthat there is no means for preventing other people to whom messages arenot intended from hearing voice messages of a personal or confidentialnature if the message is replayed by the recipient in their presence.

It is difficult for the called party to ascertain the identity of thecalling party prior to playing the message received to know who iscalling prior to broadcasting the message in the presence of others inthe nearby area. To review a stored message the user was required topress play and the voice message was annunciated from an integratedspeaker in a communication device. This was impractical for a calledparty that was engaged in a meeting that wanted to discretely listen toan urgent message without having to leave or have other persons hear themessage. In addition the previous stored voice paging receivers gave novisual indication of who was calling.

The previous stored voice paging receivers stored messages receivedbased on the time the messages were received. This required that themessages had to be reviewed in the same order regardless of thepossibility that an urgent message may not be heard until the very endof message review. This was very inconvenient if the message required aprompt reply from the called party. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,579 issued toBennett et al. is described a method of fast forwarding through messagesstored chronologically. This method, though useful, requires a user tosequentially listen to parts of all messages preceding a possible urgentmessage received.

In addition, in stored voice paging receivers there is no ability tosort through or organize voice messages except to listen to themsequentially. This can be inconvenient for the called communicant asthey may want to skip certain messages until later, but must listen toat least part of all of each message as the voice data cannot bedisplayed.

One particular problem with conventional paging systems using messagecenter devices is the requirement that a caller must manually entertheir call back telephone number. One such example of a manual entrysystem is disclosed fully in U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,969 issued to Levine etal, U.S. Pat. No. 4,072,824 issued to Phillips, and also U.S. Pat. No.4,103,107 issued to D'Amico et al. This can be cumbersome particularlyif the calling party wishes to also leave a voice message or send someother message data such as a facsimile. In addition it is especiallydifficult for a calling party to enter an alphanumeric message duringmanual entry as a great majority of communications over the PSTNoriginate from devices with standard numeric keypads that generate DTMFsignals. One invention which attempts to address the problem ofalphanumeric entry by a telephone set is U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,721 issuedto Hashimoto. However such an approach is still cumbersome to use and istime consuming for the calling party. As well, the longer it takes for acalling party to enter caller identifying information, the less time amessage center at the called party location is available to accept othercalls. The inventive concepts herein attempt to resolve these and otherproblems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application is directed to the following inventive concepts:

1. Voice Paging System and Device that utilizes caller ID (CID) from anoriginating central office as textual identifying data and generatesprestored audio alert prior to annunciation of a corresponding voicemessage from calling party. See FIG. 4 a. CID could be fax header as inFIGS. 6 a and 6 b.

2. Alternate embodiment of the above where the entry of PIN is requiredto play back messages from a selected group of callers or for messagesof confidential nature. See FIG. 4 b.

3. Alternate embodiment of the above where DTMF audio signals and voicemessage is received. The device has a DTMF tone decoder generatescorresponding textual data record and decoded digits for display. A textto speech synthesis can be achieved prior to annunciation of message. Inanother embodiment, the received DTMF signals could be used to generatecall back dial signals. See FIG. 4 c.

4. Alternate embodiment of the above where the CID data could be appliedto text to speech unit to annunciate CID data prior to the receivedvoice message. See FIG. 4 d.

5. Alternate embodiment where device has three modes of operation,namely, announce, silent and broadcast mode.

6. Alternate embodiment where device has sound input means to ack-backto caller. See FIG. 7 b. The sound input means is used to prestore voiceresponse messages for ack-back which is an improvement over prior art.See FIG. 7 a.

Another object is to provide an improved stored voice communicationdevice that includes a method of transmitting voice message data withsource identifier information.

Another improvement is to provide a more efficient method offastforwarding and reversing through messages received in such a devicethan in the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well asa preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, willbest be understood by reference to the following detailed description ofan illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 a shows the prior art stored voice paging receiver.

FIG. 1 b shows an improved stored voice paging receiver with atext-to-speech means and a display input/output to annunciate and/ordisplay caller identification data associated with a particular voicemessage received.

FIG. 1 c shows an improved stored voice paging receiver with a soundinput, a coincidence detector, a display output, a detachable input, anda DTMF tone decoder.

FIG. 1 d shows an improved non-display autodialing type paging receiverwith text to speech generator and DTMF tone decoder.

FIG. 2 a shows a block diagram of a paging system described herein thathas a messaging center at the called party office.

FIG. 2 b shows a block diagram of a paging system described herein, thathas a messaging center such as a voice mail center at the telephoneoffice.

FIG. 3 a shows the prior art method of transmitting a voice message to astored voice paging receiver.

FIG. 3 b shows an improved method of transmitting a voice message to astored voice paging receiver along with caller identifying dataaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 a is a flowchart of one embodiment of the invention in whichcaller id data is applied to a coincidence detector and display within astored voice paging receiver to generate a prestored audio alert signal.

FIG. 4 b is a flowchart of one embodiment of the invention in whichcaller id and additional data entered by the caller using DTMF entry issent with a voice message to a stored voice paging receiver with a textto speech alerting means and/or display.

FIG. 4 c is a flowchart of one embodiment of the invention in whichcanned display alerts can be generated and improved dial signalgeneration can be employed in an improved stored voice pager.

FIG. 4 d is a flowchart of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 e is a flowchart of one embodiment of the invention in which astored voice paging receiver can have various modes for operation.

FIG. 5 a shows a sample data record that can be prestored and containedwithin a personal communication device.

FIG. 5 b shows a sample display of message notifications received at apersonal communication device.

FIG. 5 c shows a memory address register within a personal communicatordevice which stores caller id and voice message data received.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b are block diagrams of received fax header informationtransmitted as caller identifying information.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b show improved ACK-BACK stored voice devices.

FIG. 8 a shows a data connection between a personal computer and pagingreceiver suitable for transfer of sound files to or from a portablecommunication device.

FIG. 8 b shows one preferred embodiment of a stored sound file that canbe transferred to a portable communication device.

FIGS. 9 a and 9 b depict improved ACK-BACK systems adapted to theinventions herein.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a system utilizing a dialing pagerreceiver adapted to the invention.

FIG. 11 depicts a prior art telephone communication network;

FIGS. 12 a, 12 b and 12 c depict schematically caller-identificationinformation which is transmitted over a telephone network.

FIG. 13 depicts a numeric paging network in accordance with theembodiment of the invention, which is coupled to a conventionaltelephone network.

FIG. 14 depicts an alphanumeric paging network in accordance with theembodiment of the invention, which is coupled with a conventionaltelephone network.

FIG. 15 depicts a portion of a database which attributes textualmessages to particular numeric or alphanumeric codes.

FIG. 16 depicts a memory buffer which stores paging requests received ortransmitted to a portable communication device.

FIGS. 17, 18, 19 a, 19 b and 19 c depict alternative portablecommunication devices in accordance with the embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 20 depicts in block diagram form the operational blocks of aportable communication device in accordance with the embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 21 depicts in flowchart form the process of engaging a pagingnetwork via a telephone network.

FIG. 22 depicts a database with a plurality of data fields whichidentify information which pertains to potential communicants, and whichis maintained in memory within the portable communication device.

FIGS. 23, 24, 25 and 26 depict alternative configurations of theportable communication device in accordance with alternative embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram representation of the hardware and softwarecomponents which are utilized to exchange data between a computingdevice and the portable communication device in accordance with theembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 28 depicts yet another configuration of the components whichcooperate to transmit data between a computing device and the portablecommunication device.

FIGS. 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 depict in block diagram, schematic, andflowchart form, a technique for developing a database with informationpertaining to potential communicants for utilization in the portablecommunication device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The automatic transmission of caller id or ANI data from the PSTN to amessage center, for storage and retransmission along with optional otherdata to a paging center to be received in a personal communicator isaddressed. Other advantages and objects will be realized by thedescription that follows.

FIG. 1 a shows a prior art stored voice paging receiver without adisplay that enables a called party to fast forward and reverse throughvoice messages received. Though useful, this type of device requires thecalled party to listen to part of each message received beforedetermining which message to listen to. The invention described hereinteaches how an improved stored voice paging receiver can include adisplay that shows the identity of the callers before the voice messageis selected and heard by the called party.

In FIG. 1 b is shown one embodiment that may receive textual calleridentifying data and display the data on a display. Additionally,received textual caller identifying data can be applied to a text tospeech synthesis section for annunciation prior to the replay of a voicemessage. Alternatively, caller identifying information may be receivedin an audible voice form and played prior to the replay of a voicemessage.

FIG. 1 c shows an alternative embodiment of a stored voice pagingreceiver with prestored voice or sound signals and a coincidencedetector, along with a DTMF tone decoder.

FIG. 1 d shows an alternative embodiment of a non-display autodialingtype paging receiver with text-to-speech synthesis.

A detailed description of the device operation in FIGS. 1 b-1 d willfollow later in a this specification.

FIG. 2 a shows a paging system to be described hereinafter in whichcaller id data is received and stored at a called station location witha message center device and retransmitted to a paging center over, thepublic switched telephone network (PSTN).

FIG. 2 b shows an alternative embodiment in which a personal messagecenter B is located at the telephone office (102) rather than at thecalled party office (300), such as voice mail service offered by theRegional Bell Operating Companies such as Pacific Bell Telephone. Forbrevity, the discussions herein are directed to FIG. 2 a although it isrecognized that the embodiments described herein could be applied to asystem such as described in FIG. 2 b, or other similar systems.

In FIG. 2 a, a calling party places TEL 1 in an off-hook condition andinitiates a communication over the PSTN via telephone line (501) to anoriginating central office (101) through telephone line (502) toterminating central office (102). The caller id data is supplied in theconventional manner between the ringing signals from the terminatingcentral office (102) through telephone line (503) to a called stationlocation (300) which has a message center (301) and extension telephoneTEL 3.

Alternately, caller id data in an ISDN environment can be sent asdescribed in Bellcore document SR-NWT-002006 entitled National ISDN,U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,899,358 and 4,922,490 patents issued Blakely, and otherBellcore technical references widely available and not described butincorporated herein by reference. Typically caller identifying datasupplied from custom calling services in an ISDN environment can bereceived and stored at a message center similar to a POTS (plain oldtelephone service) environment and, later transmitted to a pagingreceiver held by a remotely located called party.

Message center device (301) may be a conventional telephone answeringdevice, a personal computer with voice/fax mail or modem communications,or a conventional facsimile device, or some other device suitable forreceiving incoming calls automatically and initiating automatic outgoingcalls automatically to a paging center in response to calls received.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,737,979, 4,821,308, 5,333,179, 5,159,624, 5,208,850,5,077,786, 5,014,296 and 4,985,913 and 5,128,980 are all variants ofsuch devices and are incorporated herein by reference, though notfundamental to the claimed invention. For example, U.S. Pat. No.4,821,308 issued to Hashimoto, requires manual DTMF entry by a callingparty of the calling parties number. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,913, calleridentifying information can be automatically received and stored togenerate a particular paging notification but the actual calleridentifying data received and stored is not transmitted to a calledcommunicant through a paging center.

Fundamental circuitry for telephony and telephone related devices can befound in Understanding Telephone Electronics, Third Edition, by Bigelow,also incorporated herein by reference. Also incorporated herein byreference is a textbook entitled Voice Processing written by Gordon E.Pelton that is a useful reference for fundamental concepts discussed inthis specification.

Additionally, other devices that may be incorporated in the messagecenter include a telephone answering device with video telephone asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,079, also incorporated herein byreference. Such a device is capable of receiving a picture signal sentbetween the ringing signals that are intended to establish the identityof the calling party similar to conventional textual or audible callerid information. The caller identifying video image may be stored on arecording medium. Telephone devices at the calling party side (TEL 1)that could be used include the AT&T VideoPhone 2500 or other popularteleconferencing products available recently on the personal computer.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,889 incorporated herein by referencedescribes one such implementation of a video telephony system. Forpurposes of brevity it is understood that methods other than thosediscussed at length for textual data detection and reception would bemore appropriate for transmitting caller identifying video images, as iswell known in the art.

Message Center device (301) may automatically initiate an off-hookcondition in response to a ringing signal by using a ring detectinterface circuit or some other means, as is well known in the art. TheMessage Center device (301) also has a caller id detection circuit whichis suitable for detecting caller id data transmitted in between thefirst and second ringing signals. The caller id detection circuit fortextual data includes a filter and demodulator circuit that is used fordemodulating a 300 baud rate of incoming serial data stream using thetechnique of Frequency Shift keying. Data received by the circuit mayinclude data representing the incoming telephone number, name, date andtime of the current incoming call.

In a Personal Computer device equipped with a modem that can receiveincoming calls, caller id can also be received. Such a device isbecoming more popular with users in that a variety of modems that canreceive facsimile and/or facsimile combined with voice messages arecurrently available. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,516 issued to Callele et al.is shown a computer system which can receive caller identificationinformation supplied between the ringing signals in the conventionalmanner, which is incorporated herein by reference. Their invention isinteresting in that it provides for the delivery of caller idinformation to a computer device connected to the PSTN which cantransfer caller id data over a network to other computers and telephonesets that are the destination of the incoming telephone call. Thispatent does not teach how to communicate this information to a remotewireless personal communicator however.

In one embodiment as described in this specification, the modem monitorsthe phone line between the first and second ring burst without causingthe data access arrangement to go off hook in the conventional sense,which would inhibit transmission of Calling Number Identification. AV.23 1200 bbs modem receiver may be used to demodulate the Bell 202signal. The ring indicate bit (RI) may be used on a modem to indicatewhen to monitor the phone line for CND information. After the RI bitsets, indicating the first ring burst, the host waits for the RI bit toreset. The host then configures the modem to monitor the phone line forCalling Number Identification. The CND signalling starts as early as 300ms after the first ring burst and ends at least 475 mS before the secondring burst.

The received calling Number Identification may then be stored in amemory in the Personal Computer as herein described. Calling name andother information could also be received, stored and transmitted usingascii character representations of the data in a similar fashion. In analternative embodiment, the received number information could be usedwith a table look-up to append the prestored calling parties name in thepersonal computer with the received numeric caller id data forretransmission to an alphanumeric paging center. Blocked informationrepresented by the ASCII character “P” could also be received, storedand retransmitted to a paging center, or used to inhibit a pagingtransmission to a personal communicator device. Alternate numbers couldbe specified by the calling party to be used as the Incoming LineIdentification number, as is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,824 issued toShaw and incorporated herein by reference. The calling party may beprovided with the option of having the number of his calling station orsome other number used as the Incoming Caller Identification number suchas his/her home or business telephone number. This option could beprovided to the calling party by the telephone switch in the case of acredit card or other type call, or could be provided to the callingparty by the message center by means of audible voice instructions. Ineither case alternate data could be stored for later transmission fromthe message center to a paging transmitter.

The caller identifying data could also be used as described in U.S. Pat.No. 4,985,913, U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,894 and others incorporated herein byreference, in which customized greeting messages could be used whenparticular caller id data is received at the message center.

Alternatively, the message center device (301) may include an ANIdetection circuit rather than the caller id detection circuit previouslydescribed. ANI encoding is a function performed by the network thatidentifies the originating phone number of the message delivered to thereceived telephone line. ANI encoding is currently used in “911”information systems, 800 and 900 numbers and many private PBX exchangesystems. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,313,035 issued to Jordan et al.incorporated herein by reference is described a paging service in whichthe ANI directory telephone number of the calling party may be deliveredand stored at a TSPS (Traffic Service Position System) and stored in adata base. Using a paging facility such as the BELLBOY personalsignalling system, a paging signal can be generated to a remote calledparty. The called party, in response to an alert in a paging receiver,can then initiate an inquiry call to determine the identity of thecaller and return the call. In the improvements described herein, theidentity of the calling party is delivered automatically to thecalled-party paging receiver.

ANI may also be delivered to the message center device and thenretransmitted to a paging center with multi-frequency or DTMF tonesusing a somewhat different data transmission protocol from caller id,which will now be described.

The information delivered from ANI ranges from Level A service thatprovides caller area code only to Level D service that provides callerarea code, city, local exchange # and phone #. Further details about ANIare shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,942,598 issued to Davis and BellcoreTechnical Reference TR-NWT-000064 and FSD 20-20-0000 entitled LATASwitching Systems Generic Requirements—Automatic Number Identificationand Operator Number Identification, which are both incorporated hereinby reference. Such an alternative arrangement may prove to be useful tocustomers utilizing inbound 800 numbers as the primary access forcalling parties to a message center.

ANI Detector used in a Paging Center

In a related disclosure, ANI information instead of caller idinformation can be used for transmission to a called party personalcommunicator. By incorporating an ANI decoder directly within a pagingcenter, calling party ANI information can be incorporated in a systemsimilar to that shown in copending application Ser. Nos. 08/177,550 and08/177,551.

Hereinafter, the generic term caller id shall be used interchangeably todescribe conventional number and number/name caller id, ANI, video, faxheader or alternate manually entered caller identifying data.

It should be understood that when a particular implementation isreferring to ANI, the necessary decoding circuitry and transmissionprotocol would be used as opposed to different decoding circuitry andtransmission protocol used for Caller ID or other caller identifyingdata.

Caller ID Used in a Paging System with a Separate Message Center

The message center device includes a memory to store and retrieve calleridentifying data received in a memory, as is well known in the art. Onesuch apparatus is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,818 and U.S. Pat. No.5,390,236 issued to Klausner et al and incorporated herein by reference.The message center device (301) also has prestored paging transmissiondata in a memory which may include at least the telephone number of thepaging center and any pager id data that will ensure data transmittedwill be sent to the appropriate called party. The pager id datatypically ranges from 4 to 15 digits in length to uniquely identify apaging receiver. Such prestored data may be automatically recalled atthe message center to generate dialing instructions to a paging centerupon receipt and storage of an incoming call and optional data message.

Upon receiving caller id data supplied from the terminating centraloffice at the called station location, the caller id data is stored in amemory or on a hard disk drive and the message center device theninitiates an off-hook condition to answer the call. Then if the messagecenter device (301) is of the type that stores voice messages, anoutgoing message such as conventionally generated by a telephoneanswering machine or PC voice mail system or video telephone answeringmachine may be transmitted to the calling party and a calling party mayrespond by annunciating a voice or video message. The voice or videomessage is received and stored at the message center (301). In addition,the stored voice or video data may be encoded or compressed to conservememory storage space in the message center device. Compression of themessage data will also reduce transmission time required later when themessage data is sent in a subsequent paging transmission from themessage center device (301) to a paging center (105). One suchcompression algorithm that is known as G.723 is slated for approval bythe International Telecommunications Union (ITU). It is intended for usewith real-time multimedia, simultaneous voice and data, and conferencingapplications. A software solution that delivers such a compressionalgorithm is available from a company known as DSP Group, Inc. out ofSanta Clara, Calif., known as TrueSpeech. This software currently willrun on processors such as the Texas Instruments TMS320C5X, Motorola56156 Digital Signal Processor, Intel 386/486/Pentium, Analog Devices2100 and other processors.

The voice or other data may be stored contiguously in a memory locationwith caller id data received or stored in a different memory locationand associated with caller id data received and stored, for latertransmission to a called party personal communicator (201). After thedata is stored on a recording medium at the message center device (301)the calling party at TEL 1 hangs up.

Other message data received by the message center and associated withcaller id data could be received and stored in a similar fashion. Forexample, the message center may receive a facsimile image, or a videotelephone message. Received facsimile or video image data could bestored with caller ID or caller identifying data and transmitted to apaging receiver adapted to store and view facsimiles or video imagesalong with associated caller id or caller identifying data. Such datacould be encrypted such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,496issued to Frank et al. and incorporated herein by reference or encodedas previously described to reduce the message size for storage andtransmission.

Other textual special message data such as described in U.S. Pat. No.4,811,382 could be captured at the message center to be transmitted to apaging center, which is herein incorporated by reference. This textualdata could be sent to the message center in place of caller identifyingdata or along with caller identifying data that could be used as aheader record for notification within a personal communicator device.

Upon detecting that the called party has disconnected, the messagecenter device (301) hangs up. Then the message center device (301) isreturned to an off hook condition and automatic paging instructions areretrieved from the prestored memory in the message center device. In thecase where a paging transmitter is integral to the message center, nooutward dialing to the PSTN is required but instead, a pagingtransmission may occur directly. In the case where a second telephoneline is connected to the message center, the message data received onthe first telephone line from the calling party could be sent out to apaging center over the second telephone line prior to disconnection withthe calling party on the first telephone line.

Follows is described a system where a paging center is connected to themessage center by a connection with the PSTN. Dialing instructionsprestored typically would include the modem access # for the pagingcenter, and a pin # associated with a particular personal communicatordevice or pager which is usually either 4, 7, or 15 digits in length,but could be any unique identifying data. A calling signal is sent to apaging center (105) through telephone line (503) to originating centraltelephone office (102) and telephone line (504), to terminating centraltelephone office (103).

Terminating central telephone office (103) is connected to paging center(105) by a modem adapted to establish communication using predeterminedcommunications protocol suitable for the type of paging serviceprovided. For example, data communication protocol may be significantlydifferent for numeric data from that required for stored voice datacommunications.

The paging center (105) answers in response to a calling signal from amessage center and the data representative of caller id data is sent tothe paging center from the memory of the message center. The calleridentifying data is sent to the paging center using the predeterminedsignalling protocol (to be discussed hereinafter) followed or precededby any optional data to be transmitted. Alternatively, the messagecenter could employ a tone or other decoder responsive to controlsignals generated by the paging center. Such a tone or other tonedecoder could be employed prior to initiating the transmission of callerid and message data using a predetermined signalling protocol, ratherthan automatically transmitting the data by default or after apredetermined time period elapsed. As one example of various signallingprotocols that could be used, U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,051 and U.S. Pat. No.4,868,860 issued to Andros et al. are incorporated herein by reference.

Copending application Ser. Nos. 08/177,550 and 08/177,851 both deal withpaging centers of the type that incorporate a caller id detectioncircuit connected to the paging center that allow automatic detectionand transmission of caller identification data to a numeric,alphanumeric, or stored voice paging receiver or personal communicationdevice.

If the paging center is the type which allows caller id data to bedetected from an incoming caller and transmitted to a paging receiverautomatically as described in the above patent applications, thetransmission of caller id data may be prevented by a special signalpresent in the data transmission from the message center or by someother means. For example by preceding the string of data sent from themessage center with a # sign, the paging center will detect the “#” signand disable storage and transmission of any caller identification datareceived at the caller id detector of the paging center for thatparticular incoming call from the message center (301). Such caller iddata of the message center location would not be transmitted to thecalled party portable communication device (201) in this case. Instead,the caller id data of the original calling party would be sent to thepager. In another example, a caller id blocking signal could be appendedto the outward dialing signal that would instruct the terminatingcentral office to block transmission of caller id data from the messagecenter. Alternatively, the absence of a special signal in the string ofdata sent from the message center (301) could indicate that the callerid data detected by the caller id detector in the paging center and thestring of prestored caller identifying data from the message centerwould both be sent to the called party personal communicator (201).Alternatively, only the caller identification data corresponding to themessage center could be sent and the caller id data corresponding to theoriginal calling party could be prevented from transmission to a calledparty personal communicator. Such modifications in the preferredembodiments herein provide flexibility for the called parties to receivevery diverse information at a paging receiver. Additionally receipt of,in the above case, a “#” sign could allow for the storage of the callerid data corresponding to the incoming call from the message center, butprevent the data from being transmitted along with data received fromthe message center. Such a feature would be useful to the operators atthe paging center who might wish to know from where their call volumeoriginated.

In yet an alternative embodiment, the paging subscriber couldpredetermine in advance at the paging center which calling parties theywished to receive pages from. Any other calling parties not having acorresponding caller id signal that matched the prestore preferences atthe paging center would not be able to cause a paging signal to betransmitted.

If paging center (105) is not of the type that is caller id enabled,then no such special code is necessary to inhibit unwanted caller iddata of the message center (301) from transmission. In this case thecaller id and other data received and stored at the message center (301)may be automatically, or in response to a control signal originatingfrom the paging center (105), be transmitted to the paging center fromthe message center. The message center could also automatically insertother caller identifying or other data corresponding to items such asthe number of facsimile pages or actual voice or fax message received,or some other useful information to be sent to a paging center alongwith the caller id data and optional message data.

In one preferred embodiment within the message center (301), the callerID data is recalled from the memory of the message center and convertedto DTMF signals. One device that is particularly useful for conversionof caller id data to DTMF signals is manufactured by NicolletTechnologies, Inc. is known as the DTS-2040.

Such DTMF signals representative of numeric caller id data are thentransmitted from the message center to the paging center after thepaging center has answered the call initiated by the message center andsignalled that it is ready to receive data. This feature is especiallyuseful in a numeric-paging environment.

Conversion at the message center of the stored caller id data to beretransmitted over the PSTN to a paging center is not limited to DTMFsignals, but may also include other signalling appropriate foralphanumeric data typically received from caller id services such asname and date information. In another device manufactured by NicolletIndustries, Inc., the DTS-1082 can capture caller id data and convert itto ascii data for storage and later retransmission from the messagecenter to a paging center.

Caller Identifying Data Comprised of Fax Header Data Transmitted to aPaging Center and Personal Communicator Device

Fax header information and the protocol for communication betweenfacsimile message communications devices is notoriously old. Forreference, see the book entitled FAX: Digital Facsimile Technology andApplications, Second Edition, and Standards developed by the CCITT(International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee) includingT.30 incorporated herein by reference. Other standards are widely knownthough not discussed in detail here.

Briefly, in a message center which is receiving a Group 3 fax from acalling party, the calling parties device can send a coded signal knownas the transmit subscriber identification (TSI) after handshaking isestablished during what is referred to as the call set up or phase A.Typically the calling fax dials the telephone number of the messagecenter over the PSTN. The ring signal and the CNG calling tone arereceived at the called message center and the CNG tone indicates thecall is from a fax machine instead of a voice call. The called messagecenter answers the call by going off hook. Then typically after a onesecond delay, the called message center sends its called stationidentification (CSI), a 3 second 2100 Hz tone, back to the calling faxmachine.

Then during Phase B known as the premessage procedure, the called faxmachine sends the TSI which includes at least the telephone number ofthe calling party fax machine. This information is typically used in themessage center as fax header information. But in the embodiments herein,it could be used alternatively as caller identifying data that can bestored in a memory at the message center for transmission to a pagingcenter to a personal communicator device similar to the methodsdescribed for other caller id data. Such TSI data could be usedalternatively for those areas or users that do not have caller idservice. In addition, such message data in the TSI may includealphanumeric characters representing the calling party, time and dateinformation and page number data. In a system using only number onlycaller id, for example, the alphanumeric data corresponding to the nameof the sending party contained in the TSI could be appended to thenumeric caller id data for transmission to a paging center and personalcommunicator device. Such a method could be activated by the detectionof a CNG signal at the message center. Alternatively, a means ofcounting the pages received could be employed at the message center, andthe total number of pages received could be appended to the calleridentifying data. In another embodiment, only faxes of a certain lengthwould be sent to a personal communicator device.

Predefined user preferences could be used within the message centeralong with a comparing means using the caller identifying TSIinformation to determine whether the image data received would be sentto a personal communicator device or just the notification datacomprised of the caller identifying data.

In any case, alphanumeric caller identifying data could be transmittedto a paging center or through an integral paging transmitter connectedto the message center using the same alphanumeric protocol currentlyused in conventional alphanumeric paging systems known as TAP or IXO,incorporated herein by reference. These protocols could be suitablesignalling for transmission of alphanumeric caller id data from thepersonal message center device to a paging service modem. Typically thisconventional alphanumeric protocol operates at 300 baud and is wellknown in the art.

Of course in this case the paging center would require a suitabledecoder that could receive and decode the alphanumeric data from themessage center. This feature is especially desirable in an alphanumericpaging service in that some textual alphanumeric information may betransmitted automatically for the calling party using a conventionaltelephone at the TEL 1 that is typically devoid of any alphanumericinput. This is a significant improvement over the prior art. Variousother signalling protocols could be used between the message centerdevice and the modem at the paging center without departing from thespirit of the embodiments herein that may be more adapted to higher datatransmission speeds, compression algorithms or the like. For example,the PCIA has made available other protocols for alternative datatransmission such as image and other data referred to as TDP Protocol,issued Jun. 12, 1993, which is incorporated herein by reference. Theseprotocols could be modified to incorporate caller identifying datafields for transmission with other optional data. Some paging centers donot adhere strictly to published protocol but instead have a variant oftheir own. In this case, it could be possible for the message center toestablish the protocol used by the paging center dynamically by firstrecognizing and then selecting from among several different knownprotocols for subsequent transmission of the alphanumeric calleridentifying data in a form recognized by the paging center. Incorporatedherein by reference is a good reference entitled Understanding DataCommunications, Third Edition by Held which gives a fundamental overviewof various communications methods and terminology.

Text to Speech Conversion Conducted at the Terminating Central Office

Alternatively, the terminating central office (102) could apply a textto speech converter, similar to that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,358issued to Blakely, in which an annunciated caller identifying signal issent from the terminating switch to the message center device at thecalled station location. It is incorporated herein by reference. Suchannunciated caller identifying information could be particularly usefulwhen used in a stored voice paging receiver similar to devices shown inU.S. Pat. No. 4,965,569 Bennett et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,560 issuedto Oliwa, U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,520 issued to Fisch et al., and U.S. Pat.No. 5,153,579 Fisch et al., also incorporated herein by reference.

In one embodiment the caller id data is: supplied to the message centerfrom the terminating central office as an audible voice representationof caller id data and stored at the message center. Such data may alsobe encoded as previously described to conserve memory storage.

In this embodiment the audible encoded caller id data can be transferredto a paging center as previously described along with any optional datafor transmission from a paging center and annunciation at a personalcommunication device.

Text to Speech Conversion within the Message Center or Paging Center

Alternatively, received and stored textual caller id data could beapplied to a speech synthesizer unit contained within the message centeror paging center, as partly described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,848 issuedto Akiyama, U.S. Pat. No. 5,349,638 issued to Pitroda et al. or U.S.Pat. No. 4,742,516 issued to Yamaguchi, which deals with a communicationsystem with a voice announcement means. They are herein incorporated byreference. Also incorporated herein by reference is a software productoffered by Stylus Innovation, Inc. out of Cambridge Mass. known asVisual Voice that runs on a personal computer. Using a digital signalprocessor in the personal computer, text to speech processing can beapplied to caller id data. The resulting speech signals representativeof the caller id data can be stored in a storage medium within themessage center for transmission to a stored-voice paging center.

In addition, the Visual Voice system has an international languagesupport that can speak the caller id data in the language desired by thecalled party at a personal Communication device or at the messagecenter. In any case, received textual caller identifying data which isstored at the message center is transferred to a paging center andtransmitted as audible speech signals to a stored voice paging receiver.Alternatively, the textual data may be applied to a text to speechconverter within a personal communication device for annunciation, as iswell known in the art.

Irrespective of the signalling used after the calling party hasdisconnected with the message center, DTMF or other signals representingthe stored caller id data are sent from the message center through thePSTN to the paging center. Any optional data such as additional voicemessage data, DTMF, image or other message data entered by the callingparty may also be transferred from the message center (301) memory tothe paging center for transmission to the called party personalcommunicator (210) via radio link (509). Such a feature is useful inpaging systems that include stored voice paging receivers and non-voicepaging systems such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,307 or U.S. Pat.No. 4,961,216, which are also incorporated herein by reference. In thecase where caller id service is not available to a calling or calledparty, particularly in the case of stored voice paging systems, a DTMFentry could be made by the Galling party to represent the calleridentifying data to be transmitted with optional data such as a voicemessage. If the caller id detector failed to detect any caller id, adefault voice message prompt could be generated by the message centerthat instructed the caller to enter at least their telephone number inthe conventional manner using an input device at the calling party'stelephone. Then the caller could be instructed to leave an optionalvoice message that could then be transmitted to a paging center afterthe caller hangs up. Such data would be stored at the message center aspreviously described and then the message center could automaticallycall the paging center. Alternatively, caller identifying data could bedetected, an acknowledgement of the received and stored caller id datacould be annunciated back to the caller, and an option could be given tomodify or change the caller id data prior to leaving a voice or otheroptional data message.

Other caller identifying data that may be more readily recognized by thecalled party could be entered in place of the caller id data forexample.

The information could then be transmitted by the paging center andreceived at a stored voice paging receiver for display, annunciation andused as redial data within the personal communicator device. Thisfeature is especially useful in those cases where no caller identifyingdata would otherwise be associated with a voice message for transmissionto a stored voice paging receiver or personal communicator device and isa significant improvement over the prior art stored voice pagingreceivers.

A special code such as “*” or some other special code could be used tosignal the end of any DTMF or other signal data representative of callerid and to signify the beginning of transmission of optional data storedat the message center. This code could be automatically included by thepersonal message center or manually entered by the calling party forstorage and transmission with the caller identifying data string storedat the personal message center. Optional data, such as a voice messageor other data entered or sent by a calling party could then be storedand transmitted after the caller identifying data and demarcation code.Other coding methodologies that demarc the stored caller id data fromother stored optional message data may be used and are not fundamentalto the claimed invention herein but are considered obvious to thoseskilled in the art.

In the example above, wherein said optional data is a voice message, thereceipt of a special code signal at the paging center (105) from themessage center (301) could enable a voice storage memory and receivingat the paging center to distinguish other data representative of callerid information from optional data such as voice messages. In addition,the data types of the caller identifying data and optional message datacould be different from each other and not require any demarcation data.In one such case, caller identifying textual data could be detected byone type of detector at the paging transmitter, and voice or image datacould be detected by another type of detector at the paging transmitter.The paging center could then store the data received and retransmit thedata to a personal communicator device.

The paging center may receive the optional data such as a voice ortextual message from the message center to be stored in a memory at thepaging center. When the transmission is completed from the messagingcenter, the communication with the paging center is ended and themessage center and the paging center hang up.

The paging center then initiates a paging transmission to theappropriate paging receiver and retrieves any stored caller id data andoptional data from the memory transferred from the message center. Afterthe pager id is decoded in the conventional fashion at the personalcommunicator device, the telephone number and/or number and name (ifpresent) and optional date and time information representative of thecaller id of the calling party, along with any optional data messagesuch as a voice, text or image message, are received by the called partypersonal communicator.

Such received data could be stored in different memory locations or inone contiguous memory within the personal communicator device, demarcedby the special coding method employed, to be accessed within a storedvoice or other paging receiver held by the called party in a variety ofways known to those skilled in the art.

In one example, to access the caller id data, a called party might pressa “view” button to see the caller identifying data. Or by default, thecaller id data might be displayed automatically when received or after aPIN is entered by the called party. To access the actual voice message,a called party might press a “play” button. Such a personal communicatorcould also be responsive to voice commands annunciated by the calledparty into a microphone and a voice command unit within the personalcommunicator device which is connected to the microphone and isresponsive to commands such as “PLAY”, “REWIND”, FORWARD”, etc. Inaddition, stored voice messages could be recorded on a removable memorysuch as a PCMCIA memory card that is now very popular in portablecomputing devices. Stored voice messages with or without correspondingcaller identifying data could be transferred from the personalcommunicator device to another computing or voice message storage devicein a central location such as the office of the called party.

Personal Communicator Device with Improved Time Data Input Means UsingCaller ID Data

In the caller id data received and stored at the paging center ormessage center, time data corresponding to the time and date acommunication was received could be transmitted to a personalcommunicator device. This could be particularly useful in a system inwhich several messages received were held in a queue for some timebefore a transmission occurred to the personal communicator device. Thetime data could be used as a sorting record at the paging center ormessage center to determine which calls were transmitted in a batchfashion as opposed to immediately transmitted upon receipt at the pagingor message center.

For example, all calls received during peak periods during a certaintime of day may be transmitted later off-peak to reduce congestion onthe wireless communication system. Or all calls received during weekendsor holidays could be transmitted in a lower priority queuing sequencethan calls received during the week. In addition, message data receivedat the personal communicator could be organized and accessed accordingto the date and time the communication was completed in a very accurateand automatic fashion for the calling and called party. See related U.S.Pat. No. 4,872,005 issued to DeLuca et al. incorporated herein byreference.

In addition, such caller id time and date data could be used toinitialize a time of day clock contained within a personal communicatordevice such as a Personal computer, cellular phone or the like. Thiscould be beneficial in the circumstance where a power failure erased thetime and date information ordinarily entered manually by a user. Otherdevices such as VCRs, automobile clocks and the like could be equippedwith a receiver that could accept such information as well.

Caller ID from a PBX with an Integrated or Connected Transmitter to aPersonal Communicator

The message center could be directly connected to a paging transmitterthat would not require a dial in via the PSTN to a paging network. Inone embodiment, the message center and the paging transmitter could bean apparatus similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,930 issuedto Hagl which describes a paging system within a telephone privatebranch exchange and incorporated herein by reference. Such a systemcould be modified such that any calls coming in from outside the PBXcould be passed through a caller id detector circuit as previouslydescribed, and this information could be sent through to a personalcommunicator or call device.

In an alternate embodiment, caller id data could be delivered to a localpaging system such as a unit offered by Motorola known as “Site-call”which is typically connected to a PBX such as the Meridian 1manufactured by Northern Telecom.

Appropriate software and hardware at the PBX could capture and deliverANI or Caller ID data to the “Site-Call” or similar local paging system.The prior art local paging systems require a calling party to entertheir telephone number by DTMF entry, which is then transmitted by alocal paging transmitter. This is limited in that only numeric data maybe received and displayed to alert a called party. Alternatively in theprior art systems, a message such as “outside call” is displayed at thepager. By integrating various concepts taught in the embodiments herein,telephone number data and other caller identifying data may beautomatically sent from a PBX to an onsite pager for display,annunciation, or other alerting means.

Alternately, a call could be received at the PBX and if the call wasunanswered at the called station, a message could be taken in a voicemail center and the caller id data (along with an optional voice orother message) could be delivered to a paging receiver by way of anonsite or offsite-paging transmitter.

The message center device may be directly connected to a pagingterminal, thereby eliminating the necessity of a second connection tothe telephone network. The paging terminal could be a “People Finder”paging terminal manufactured by Motorola, Inc.

In another implementation, the message center device is interfaced to apaging terminal such as the Modax paging terminal manufactured byMotorola, Inc. which was adapted to transmit additional calleridentification information with a standard paging transmission. Theinterface from the message center to the paging terminal may be througha 1 or 2 telephone line interface. The interconnection to a pagingterminal and the terminal's subsequent operation are well known in theart. The paging terminal transmits to a personal communicator that iscapable of receiving and decoding paging signals modulated by the pagingterminal in a radio frequency manner. The personal communicator also hasthe capability to store a message and to play back a message which mayinclude caller identifying source indicator data as previously describedthat may be viewed on a display member or heard first through anannunciation means.

In FIG. 2 b is described a message center which is at the telephoneoffice rather than the called party office. The concepts previouslydescribed for a called party office based message center could also bemodified and incorporated in the conventional voice mail system offeredby the telephone company.

Automatic Paging Telephone Set Using Caller ID Instead of DTMF forCaller Identifying Data

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,980 issued to Choi is described a system in whicha calling party may enter their phone number using DTMF for automatictransmission to a paging center and is incorporated herein by reference.This method could be modified to incorporate a caller id detector thatwould be substituted for, or supplied in addition to, the DTMF receiver.When the device is in a pager number recording mode (either between thefirst and second ringing signals or after the device is placed in anoff-hook position) the caller id data may be entered and storedautomatically for the calling party, may be manually entered by DTMFentry by the calling party, or may be entered and stored using part ofthe caller id data supplied automatically and part of the data manuallyentered by the calling party. Then the caller identifying data can betransmitted to a paging center along with any optional data as describedin the patent in an automatic, manual, or combined fashion.

Coincidence Detection within the Message Center

Optional data such as a voice message can be selectively transmitted tothe called party, based on some comparator at the message center thatanalyzes the source identity of the calling party with prestored userpreferences determined in advance by the called party. Or by default,all optional data received could either be stored for later retrieval bythe called party or stored and transmitted to the called party personalcommunicator device along with the caller identifying data. The pagingtransmission can be encoded at the paging transmitter to economize onvaluable transmission time, and then later decoded on a real time ordelayed basis within the receiving called party personal communicator.Private flagged caller id data and optional messages may beautomatically omitted from storage at the message center or omitted fromtransmission to a personal communicator device.

Stored Voice Communicator with Text Header Information Display

Incorporated herein by reference is U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,362 issued toModjeska et al. This patent discloses a method of combining voice anddata into a message format that can be sent to a pager capable ofreceiving a combination voice and data message. A called party mayselectively review header information corresponding to the calling partyprior to listening to any received voice message. A paging transmittersuch as described in this disclosure can be modified to incorporate acaller id or ANI decoder 207) or fax signal decoder (209) in automatictelephone input (202) that can receive data automatically from the PBXor PSTN (108) and store this data in paging terminal controller memory(232). Voice synthesizer (208) can playback for the calling party a textto speech synthesized representation of caller id or ANI data and askwhether the data should be sent with the paging message. For example,the voice synthesizer (208) can receive textual caller id or ANI datasuch as “555-212 John Smith” from the ANI or Caller ID decoder and thengenerate the following instructional message to the calling party,“Press or say ‘ONE’ if you wish for '555-1212 John Smith calling to betransmitted. Press or say ‘TWO’ if you wish this information to betransmitted and marked urgent. Press or say ‘THREE’ if you wish for thisinformation to not be sent and you wish to enter some other data fromyour touchtone keypad or keyboard.” The calling party, upon hearing thesynthesized voice annunciation, then can select which caller identifyingdata should be sent. In the case of a stored voice paging system, uponhearing confirmation of the desired caller identifying data, the callingparty would then be instructed to leave a voice message, which would bestored in the voice store and forward module (216). The confirmed calleridentifying data would be stored in memory 232 to be linked with thevoice message data stored in memory 224 for transmission fromtransmitter base station 226 to a selective call receiver. In the caseof a paging system equipped with a fax store and forward module 216 andfax signal decoder 209, fax header information as previously describedcould be received and stored in memory 232, fax data could be receivedand stored in memory 224, and the contents of memories 224 and 232 couldbe transmitted by transmitter base station 226 to a selective callreceiver.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,818 is shown a message system which describes asystem linking textual data with voice messages, and is incorporatedherein by reference. Such an apparatus could be modified to incorporatethe transmission of caller identifying data and voice data to astored-voice paging receiver, via a call from the message center to apaging transmitter via the PSTN as previously described. In addition, toeconomize on minimizing the time spent connecting with a paging center,the messages received at the message center could be queued for batchtransmission either during offpeak periods or periodically. Exceptionscould be made for urgent message transmission that could occur withoutwaiting for the message queue transmission.

Another patent incorporated herein by reference is U.S. Pat. No.5,258,751 issued to DeLuca et al. Message storage slots can includecaller identifying data display which has been transmitted to aselective call receiver or personal communication device as discussedhereinbefore. Any corresponding voice or other message data can then bedisplayed or annunciated after the user selects the desired message forreview.

Upon receipt at the personal communicator device, the user could scrollthrough the received messages such as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,285,493 issued to Wagai et al. and incorporated herein by reference,or by numerous other methods discussed in the various personalcommunicator apparatus described by reference or example herein.

The messages could be stored chronologically, with resequencing of thepreviously stored messages occurring automatically upon receipt of anynew message or deletion of any previously recorded message.Alternatively, the messages with the caller id header data could beselectively stored as determined by the user in a number of ways. Themessages could be stored based upon preselected criteria. For example,all messages determined to be of an urgent nature or from a particularcommunicant could be automatically stored in the firstmost messagestorage slot positions. In another embodiment, all messages could beanalyzed and then stored sequentially in an ascending or descendingorder, based on the caller id header data presented. U.S. Pat. No.5,225,826 is incorporated herein by reference and discloses a selectivecall receiver with an integral time of day clock. Messages received withidentical header data records could be stored according to the time anddate received within the selective call receiver, the time and date datapresent in the header data, or according to urgent indicators containedin the header data.

Text to Speech Conversion of Caller Id Header Data within a PersonalCommunicator Device

In another embodiment, the textual information received at the personalcommunication device could be applied to a codec within the personalcommunicator device that is particularly suited to visually impairedpersons. Application of a text to speech codec which converts receivedcaller id signals to audible speech signals is well known in the art, asshown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,530 issued to Reese and incorporated hereinby reference. Such a personal communicator device could be manufacturedwithout a display member to reduce manufacturing costs for specializedpurposes.

In the case of a stored voice message that is transmitted to a storedvoice type called party personal communicator without a display member,textual caller identifying data could be annunciated. Such a devicecould also employ a display member that was capable of selectively orsimultaneously displaying caller identifying data received at thepersonal communicator device.

Coincidence Detection within a Personal Communicator Device

Data representative of caller id information may be used at the calledparty personal communicator as key record data that could comprise thenotification display or could generate some other associatednotification within the called party personal communicator in responseto receipt of the caller identifying portion of the message. Thepersonal communicator device could employ a coincidence detector whichmay generate a number of notification events in response to a match withprestored data or user preferences compared against the caller id datareceived. For example, upon detecting that a coincidence existed with aprestored data record, a prestored visual image of the calling partycould be displayed. In another instance, a coincidence detection withinthe personal communicator device could require a called party to enter apersonal identifying entry before the confidential message could bereviewed. In yet another embodiment, a coincidence detection couldinhibit any associated message transmitted from a message center frombeing reviewed by the called party at the personal communicator device.In yet other embodiments, received fax header information or Emailaddresses could be compared against a prestored directory within thepersonal communicator device to display or annunciate othercorresponding data a records.

Embodiment Using Blocked Caller ID Data

Upon receipt of a “blocked” caller id data such as described inLSSGR—Class Feature Calling Identity Delivery Blocking Features—FSD01-02-1053, U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,411 issued to Hashimoto entitled CallerID Blocking Method and Processing System, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,181issued to Zwick entitled Automatic Number Identification Blocking System(all incorporated herein by reference and subject to modification withthe invention herein), the personal communicator device could respond bynot storing the message at the message center which would have beendirected to the personal communicator device. In addition any blockedcaller id data could be used at the message center to store and preventretransmission of the data to the personal communicator device.Alternatively a calling party could selectively omit the transmission ofcaller ID data by using the blocking signal and sending to the personalcommunicator device only manually entered data, such as a DTMF signal, acard swipe in a magnetic card reader, a voice message, image or otherdata in place of caller id data automatically supplied by the telephonecompany.

Redial Memory Embodiment

Received caller id data can be selectively transferred to a data bufferwithin the called party, personal communicator device for redialing, asseen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,496 issued to Figa and U.S. Pat. No.4,873,719 issued to Reese, incorporated herein by reference. Logic canbe incorporated into the receiving device that distinguishes eitherpositionally or by filtering the numeric data from the alphanumeric datato ensure that only the numeric data was retrieved and transferred to adata buffer for redial instructions. Such redial instructions within apersonal communicator device could include the ability to distinguishbetween a local dialing mode in which caller identifying datacorresponds to call-back numbers within the local calling area. In thiscase, only the local portion of the caller id data representing thecalling party's telephone number would be used to generate a dialinginstruction from the personal communicator device. In other cases, theentire caller id representing the telephone number of the calling partycould be used to generate a dialing signal. This is well known in theart as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,918 issued to Tanaka.

Typically Caller ID data transmitted includes either 7 digit or 10 digitnumeric data corresponding to the calling party's telephone. Otherrecent proposals related to the field of Caller Identification deal withautomatic transmission of Caller identification from internationalcallers which may consist of less than the required data to complete areturn call to the original calling party but more than 7 or 10 digits.

In one embodiment, upon receipt of an interstate caller id consisting ofa 10 digit numeric caller id number such as 305-555-1212, it isnecessary to insert a “1” prior to converting caller id data receivedinto a dial signal for the called party to return the call from acellular telephone device which may be integral or connected to thepersonal communicator device. Such caller id data as described hereinwould not complete a dialing signal unless the user manually dialed thedigit “1” before the remaining digits were dialed out. As a function ofthe improved redial circuit in this embodiment, any ten digit caller iddata received and stored could automatically be preceded with a digit“1” at the personal communicator device rather than requiring manualentry by the called party prior to dialing. Additionally, in response toreceipt of an international caller id numeric sequence, theinternational caller id data could be preceded by a country code andinternational calling code like “011” such as is conventionally used. Inan alternative embodiment, such additional calling code data could beappended at the message center or at the paging center prior totransmission to a personal communicator device. In some cases a calledparty may wish to call in first to a long distance service such as1-800-CALLATT, then enter their account code and pin, and then redialthe caller id number received.

In the case where a credit call should be made as described above, thepersonal communicator device may not automatically insert any specialcalling codes to be appended to the caller id data received, but insteadmay use the caller id data as received for redial data after the othercredit calling data is transmitted. In the case where special callingcode data has been appended prior to receipt at the personalcommunicator device, the personal communicator device could strip awayor disable the calling codes such as “1” or “011” and only generate thenecessary calling sequence corresponding to the telephone number of theoriginal calling party, using the last 10 significant digits in the caseof a domestic call. In any case such additional features would be verybeneficial to the user of such an equipped personal communicator devicewith a redial feature.

Where caller identifying data received is comprised of speech signalsthat represent the calling parties telephone number and/or name, suchdata could be stored, transferred and used as a redial instruction fromthe personal communication device to a communication network which waswell equipped to receive voice commands for a dialing instruction, suchas is seen currently in the Sprint Voice Foncard service and otherservices, incorporated herein by reference. Selectively or incombination, the speech signals representing the name or telephonenumber of the calling party could be generated by the personalcommunicator device to communicate redial instructions to acommunication system with voice recognition or with speech commandcapability.

Meet Me Service Embodiment

Such features could be useful as well in a “Meet me” service in which acalling party is placed on hold at the message center. Typically acalling party is instructed to remain on hold and may be asked to entertheir telephone number by DTMF entry or entry of a special signal whichconstitutes a “meet” request. Then the DTMF or special signal is sentthrough a paging transmitter to a paging receiver. When the pagedcommunicant receives the page, they may call back on a telephone link tothe meet me center to be connected with the calling party. However itrequires manual entry by the calling party of the call in number of themeet-me service and the called party cannot always remember or know whomay be calling by the telephone number alone. Such information iscritical for the called party to properly screen meet requests. Onesystem incorporated herein by reference is described in U.S. Pat. No.4,172,969 issued to Levine et al. In this system, the caller isinstructed to dial his calling number. The signals are then conveyedover the telephone line to the receiver telephone answering device to betransmitted to a mobile receiver unit. Another such system is describedin part by U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,849 issued to Fu, incorporated herein byreference which can be adapted to the invention herein. Another Meet metype system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,480 issued to Breeden,and U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,929 issued to Wolf incorporated herein byreference which can be adapted to the invention herein.

By incorporating the automatic transmission of calling party number andname in an alphanumeric paging network for example, the called party canmore accurately determine who is calling before accepting the “meet”invitation. In the case where a voice Caller ID is supplied by theterminating central office to the meet me service at the message center,the called party can hear an annunciation of the caller's identity froma personal communicator device suitable for the replay of suchinformation.

The called party personal communicator receives a “meet” request fromthe paging center which consists of at least the meet request signalsupplied automatically or a meet request signal initiated by the callingparty. In addition to, or in place of the meet request signal, thecaller id data received and stored at the message center correspondingto the calling party on hold can be transmitted to the personalcommunication device. The calling party could also at this time enterother additional information such as an urgent indicator or special codeagreed upon between the calling party and the called party fortransmission along with the caller id data and/or meet request. In anycase, the calling party is instructed to remain on hold while the calledparty is paged for a possible meet by the paging center.

If the called party does not respond within a prescribed period of time,the calling party can then additionally be instructed to leave optionaldata such as a voice message that can either be retrieved later by thecalled party, or can be transmitted to the called party personalcommunicator after the caller disconnects. In another embodiment if thecalling party does not wish to wait any longer for the called party tocall in to the meet me center, then the called party can interrupt themeet me service by for example depressing the # sign.

At this point the message center at the meet me service can instruct thecaller to enter optional data such as a voice message for storage and/ortransmission to the called party. After the calling party disconnectsfrom the message center at the meet me service, the message center cansend an additional signal in a second transmission to the personalcommunication device through a paging center or integral pagingtransmitter. This signal can indicate that the calling party hung up andthat a “meet” with the calling party at the message center is notpossible. This transmission can also include any optional voice or otherdata left by the calling party.

Such data that is to be transmitted can be incorporated with thepreviously stored caller id data at the message center for transmissionto the personal communicator device. Alternatively the optional datasuch as a voice message can be transmitted to the called party personalcommunicator device and appended to, or associated with received callerid data from the calling party.

In the above described or similar systems, the detected caller idinformation can be transmitted automatically to the personalcommunicator device in a more efficient manner that will provide moreinformation to the called party and relieve the calling party ofinconvenience.

Of course caller id blocking options could be employed as previouslydescribed in this application. Other variants of these “meet me”services could also easily employ a caller id detector to transmit thecaller identifying data automatically. For sake of brevity, thesevarious systems are not described in detail although it is believed thatthose skilled in the art can adapt the methods described herein.

Auto Dialing Personal Communicator Embodiment

The paging receiver device could also be a dedicated paging receiverwith a DTMF signal generator such as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,579issued to Godoshian, U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,507 issued to Mukai et al. U.S.Pat. No. 5,280,516 issued to Jang or U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,721 issued toDeLuca et al., incorporated herein by reference. Received caller id datareceived could be used to generate a dialing signal in an acousticallycoupleable dialer device, or via an external telephone line connectorwithin the called party personal communicator. The received calleridentifying data could be digital data representative of numericinformation corresponding to the call-back number of the calling party.Such received digital data could be applied to a DTMF generator tooutput a dialing signal.

Alternatively, the received caller identifying data could be audibleDTMF signals that were recorded as audible signals at the message centerafter manual entry by a calling party. In another embodiment, textualcaller id data could be converted to audible DTMF signals at the messagecenter to be transferred to a voice-paging center as audible signals.Upon receipt at the paging center, the audible signals could betransmitted to a personal communication device along with any optionaldata. The audible DTMF sounds and optional data could be stored andreplayed through a speaker.

Alternatively the DTMF sounds could be converted to a dial signal for acellular telephone device or via a telephone line connector. Thereceived audible DTMF signals could be applied to a DTMF decoder andcharacter generator within the personal communicator device to displaythe audible DTMF sounds received. This method could be particularlyuseful in that the personal communication device would not require aDTMF generator to create a dialing signal. In addition, audible DTMFsounds could be prestored into a personal communication device ordialing apparatus by means of a computer download interface thatreleasably electrically or acoustically coupled to a dialing apparatusor personal communicator with a memory, controller and data inputreceiver.

These audible DTMF sounds could then be used as described previously togenerate an audible dial signal for acoustical coupling, or converted toan electrical signal for other dialing.

In a different embodiment, the received and stored DTMF sounds could beapplied to a DTMF decoder and character generator and optional text tospeech unit to display or annunciate the data received. The personalcommunicator or dialing apparatus could interpret the stored audibleDTMF signals within the personal communicator or dialing device andgenerate a display or voice annunciation of the telephone numberinformation. This could be accomplished by a standard DTMF decodercircuit and character generator such as described in U.S. Pat. No.4,882,750 issued to Henderson et al. incorporated herein by referenceand a text to speech unit well known to those skilled in the art.

This improvement could be useful in autodialer devices such as describedin this patent. For example, a circuit commonly used to store voicesignals such as the Radio Shack, part number 276-1324 or Radio Shackpart number 276-1325 could be used to store and replay the received DTMFsignals through a transducer in a conventional autodialer. The audibleDTMF signal could be received by a sound input which was connected tothe circuit during a programming mode. During a replay mode, the DTMFsignals previously programmed could be replayed through a transducerattached to the autodialer, or the DTMF signals could be transferred toa transmitting means that could generate the DTMF signal to acommunication link such as in a cellular or landline communicationsystem.

Combined Pager/Radiotelephone Embodiment

The paging receiver device could alternatively be contained within acellular telephone device as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,449 issued toMetroka et al. or in U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,473 issued to Freeland et al.in which a paging and cellular radio telephone function are combined ina single device. These patents are also incorporated herein byreference.

When the paged party receives a page, the caller id data can be storedfor later use and an alert tone, a vibration, a visual indication or avoice message can alert the called party who may be engaged in atelephone conversation on the cellular telephone. When the paged partywishes to return the call from the calling party after hanging up, thestored caller id data can be selected and recalled for dialing at thetouch of a button.

Of particular utility, alphanumeric caller id data received cantextually identify a calling party to aid in selection of a desiredcallback number and the included numeric caller id information can beutilized to generate a dialing signal. In a number only caller idtransmission the number only will be supplied to the combinedpager/radiotelephone. In this case, the received numeric information canbe transferred to a comparing means and compared against a prestoreddirectory in the device. In this manner, the paged party can more easilyidentify the caller and return the call more efficiently. U.S. Pat. No.4,924,496 issued to Figa describes one such method in greater detail andhas already been incorporated herein by reference.

PCMCIA Paging Receiver Embodiment

Another alternative embodiment using the claimed invention can be seenin U.S. Pat. No. 5,043,721 issued to May that discloses a pagingaccessory using a PCMCIA interface which is connected to a personalcomputer or integrated in a computing device. This patent isincorporated herein by reference.

Stored-Voice Paging Receiver and System Embodiment

Caller identifying data received may include textual data representativeof caller id data automatically supplied from the PSTN as describedpreviously, or may include some other textual data such as received froma DTMF entry by the caller at a message center or paging center, anE-Mail message or document received with an embedded or compressed voicemessage, or other data. For example, textual data representing theidentity of the sending party could be represented by an E-mail address.The message could be transmitted to a selective call receiver along witha voice message that was sent by a calling party's personal computerequipped with a sound board with appropriate software. In addition, thecaller identifying information could be a particular iconographicrepresentation of the calling party such as described in the Magic Capsoftware environment using so called Telescript technology availablefrom General Magic and incorporated herein by reference, or a stillvideo image of the calling party transmitted with the voice message bythe calling party premises equipment.

For example, visually displayable images transmitted after the messagecenter device has gone offhook in response to a ringing signal could bereceived and stored with an associated voice message. One suchimplementation particularly adapted to simultaneous voice and visualdata transmission that is currently being implemented is known asVoiceView, incorporated herein by reference, and manufactured andlicensed by Radish Communications Systems, Inc. out of Boulder, Colo.VoiceView lets calling parties transmit visual images along with voicedata in a standard POTS environment, which in the preferred embodimentcould be captured and stored in a memory at the message center for latertransmission to a paging receiver or personal communication device.Alternatively, in an ISDN environment, simultaneous transmission ofvoice and image data could occur in a similar fashion such that messageor caller identifying visual data could be stored along with a voicemessage for later transmission to a communication device.

This information could be displayed on a display member upon receipt ofthe message at the stored voice communication device in advance ofannunciating, or simultaneous with, annunciation of the voice message.

Alternatively, the caller identifying information could be used togenerate an audible alert such as prestored sound data contained withinthe communication device and applied to a comparing means thatcorresponds to choices made by the called party. Or received calleridentifying data could be applied to a text-to-speech generatorcontained within the paging receiver and annunciated to the calledparty. U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,693 issued to Davis et al. is incorporatedherein by reference.

Alternatively, the caller identifying data received at a paging centeror message center could be applied to a data generator which wouldcompare the caller identifying data received and generate predeterminedcharacter strings for transmission to a communication device such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,377 issued to Wallace et al. andincorporated herein by reference.

Alternatively, the received textual data could be converted to a text tospeech converter at the paging center prior to transmission to thestored voice communication device.

Upon receipt of a message at the communication device, only the calleridentifying data may be displayed or annunciated prior to annunciationof the voice message after selection by the called party. In addition,such voice messages received from certain parties could be marked as ofa confidential nature by the calling party so that a password would berequired by the called party to hear the message.

In another preferred embodiment, the personal message center couldcomprise a voice mail center, a personal computer or a conventionaltelephone answering machine as previously described and well known inthe art. In such systems, the received caller id data could be used witha comparing means at the voice mail center, personal computer orconventional telephone answering machine to selectively transmitassociated voice message data without the caller identifying data. Sucha feature is a substantial improvement over existing paging systems.This is a departure over the prior art in that prior art voice messagesystems do not transmit voice data to conventional stored voice pagingreceivers. One of the main advantages of such an approach is that thecost of the stored-voice paging receiver is reduced because there is nodisplay required in the voice paging receiver.

Alternatively, the called party could preselect which calling partiescould require a password upon receipt and prior to playback. Callersfrom a particular calling group could be assigned with an automaticannunciation attribute in which any received calls from this group wouldautomatically be broadcast, no matter when the message was received. SeeU.S. Pat. No. 5,073,767 issued to Holmes et al. and U.S. Pat. No.5,146,217 issued to Holmes et al. that are incorporated herein byreference.

In one embodiment the stored voice communication device may receive allvoice messages and based upon the caller identifying data or passworddata also received, may selectively broadcast through a speaker orplayback only through a sound output accessory such as an earphone,based upon the desired mode of annunciation predetermined by the calledparty with annunciation mode instructions. Such instructions could be asdata associated with prestored caller identifying data and the voicemessage, or by an annunciation mode switch that was connectable to acomparing means.

If for example, a message received was determined to be of a privatenature not available for broadcast, the message could not be heardunless an earphone was first attached to the communication device andthe message was selected for playback.

Alternatively, the communication device could sense that the earphonewas attached and automatically playback the message through the earphonewithout any further selection. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,684 issued toDeLuca and incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, it may be useful for messages received and stored in thepersonal communication device to be transferred for archival at apersonal computer. Such a personal communicator could be fitted with aserial, parallel, infrared or other communication link and appropriatedata transfer capability so that received messages could be transferredto another device for speech to text transcription, archival voicemessage storage or other functions.

The stored voice communications device includes a means for receivingtransmitted voice messages, receiver identifying control information,and source identifier information such as caller id, ANI, synthesizedcaller id, DTMF, image, or the like. Further the device may include afirst audio output such as an integrated speaker, an optional secondaudio output such as an earphone jack, a third optional text to speechoutput and a codec to convert data received into audible voice data.Further the device may include a selection and storage medium forpre-storing called party annunciation selections, and a comparing meansto match caller-identifying data received with the prestored calledparty annunciation preferences.

A first switch allows a received voice messages to be delivered usingthe first audio output by default, unless otherwise directed byprestored called party preferences.

A second switch allows received voice messages to be delivered using thesecond output by default, unless otherwise directed by prestored calledparty preferences.

A third switch allows caller identifying data received to be deliveredto a text to speech converter, although it is recognized that such datacould also be applied to such a converter automatically by defaultrather than based on the switching means. U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,516 issuedto Yamaguchi shows one method of text to speech translation and isincorporated herein by reference. Another U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,583 issuedto Groner shows another method of text to speech translation and is alsoincorporated herein by reference.

The stored voice paging receiver also includes a selection and storagemedium to allow a user to predetermine which corresponding sourceidentifiers will utilize the first audio output, the second audio outputor the third text to speech converter. In addition, based upon thecaller identifying data received, the communication device coulddetermine which order voice messages would be stored and accessed in amessage storage medium. For example, all the messages marked urgentcould be accessible first, or the messages could be retrievable basedupon the time sent, or based on the identity of the caller. All callersthat were determined to be family members may be prioritized differentlythan callers that were business contacts.

A password means in the communication device allows for preselection ofa password by the called communicant and entry of a password prior toannunciation of messages determined to be from a calling party that maybe of a private nature.

A comparator in the stored voice communication device compares: thereceived and/or stored voice message source identifier withpredetermined user preferences and stores and delivers the receivedmessages based on the predetermined user preferences.

Further as previously described, the stored voice personal communicatorcould also include a dial function in which the speaker or transducerused to annunciate voice messages could also be used to acousticallycouple the communicator and to generate a dial signal as has beendescribed hereinbefore. Audible DTMF signals received at thestored-voice paging receiver, or digital numeric data converted to DTMFat the communicator could generate a dialing signal.

In FIG. 1 b is shown an improved stored-voice paging receiver with adisplay for caller-identifying textual or image data and atext-to-speech unit for converting textual data received into audiblevoice signals. Also the device may include a coincidence detector tocompare caller identifying data received with prestored data records.

In the functional block diagram in FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and 1 c the pagingreceiver 1010 of the preferred embodiments include a receiver 1012, adecoder-controller 1014, a memory 1050, an audio amplifier 1040, a soundoutput 1037, an input switch module 1042, an energy conservation means1020, and a converting means 1038. An antenna 1024 receives paginginformation in the form of selective call signals, information comprisedof speech signals representative of a voice message and informationcomprised of caller identification data for display or annunciationbefore, during or after annunciation of the voice message. The antenna1024 is coupled to receiver 1012 that is subject to the control ofdecoder 1014. The decoder 1014 not only controls receiver 1012, but mayalso operate receiver 1012 on an intermittent basis to extend the lifeof battery 1016 through energy conservation means 1020. The receiver1012 detects the presence of electromagnetic energy representing thepaging information and applies the information to the converting such ascoder-decoder 1038. Operating under control from decoder 1014 (line1045), the coder-decoder 1038 converts the received signals, such as anaudio speech signal to a stream of binary bits and reconverts the storedbinary bits to a replica of the original received analog signal, such assynthesized audio speech signals. A microcomputer 1026 functions as thedecoder 1014 and is comprised of a microprocessor 1028 and a read onlymemory (ROM) 1030. ROM 1030 includes the necessary instructions tooperate microprocessor 1028 to perform the functions as described below.The microcomputer 1026 uses microprocessor 1028 as a software decoderfor processing the received signals in real time according topredetermined software routines. Such routines could provide fordetection of specific demarcation codes that distinguish audio ortextual caller identification data from audio voice messages forstorage, annunciation and replay.

After the paging receiver is selectively identified, microprocessor 1028accesses ROM 1030 for determining the correct instructions contained inthat memory for processing the received signals, converting the analogvoice signals to digital form, storing the digital form of the voicesignal, storing the caller identification data, displaying the calleridentification data on the display 1077 and other functions. Forexample, text to speech synthesis means 1075 can convert bitrepresentations of textual caller identification data received withvoice data into synthesized voice signals to be annunciated throughaudio amplifier 1040 and sound output 1037 under the direction ofmicroprocessor 1026 and input switch module 1042. For example, uponhearing a default alert signal from sound output 1037 indicating receiptof a message, the subscriber could press “PLAY” 1056 and the synthesizedvoice annunciation of caller identification information would beretrieved from the memory and annunciated, such as “John Smith—555-1212called”. Then upon a second depression of the “PLAY” button, the storedvoice message may be retrieved from the memory 1050 and replayed for thesubscriber. In another embodiment, caller identification data receivedcould be displayed on a display 1077 when a message was received, or inresponse to scrolling through a list of messages previously received andselected using key input selector 1061, touch-screen input from display1077 or other keyboard selections and software as is known in the art.

Upon selection of a particular caller identifying record, themicrocomputer 1026 could retrieve the corresponding voice message fromthe memory 1050 for annunciation. Additionally under the direction ofthe microcomputer 1026, a coincidence detector 1097 could be employed tocompare caller identifying data with prestored data records in memory1050. Upon determining a matching record, microcomputer 1026 could causecaller identifying data and/or any associated record or annunciationalert to be automatically displayed on display 1077 or annunciated usingsound output 1037. Additionally, key input module 1042 could include asynthesize mode key 1078 in which textual data entered by keyboard 1053,stored on memory 1050 or received from receiver 1012 could beselectively converted from text-to-speech for annunciation.

In the illustrated embodiment, the coder-decoder 1038 (hereinafterreferred to as CODEC) provides for the digital-to-analog andanalog-to-digital conversion of speech signals. The CODEC 1038, such asan adaptive delta modulator, converts or encodes an audio input signal(line 44) to a digital data stream (line 1046) for storage in memory1050, and reconverts or decodes a digital data stream (line 1048) toreconstruct an audio signal (line 1021). Under control of decoder 1014,the CODEC's digital output is stored in memory 1050 and retrieved online 1048 to reconstruct a synthesized audio signal on line 1021, thusclosely replicating the real time audio signal in both amplitude andfrequency. One example of such a coder-decoder is disclosed by N. S.Jayant in the publication “Adaptive Delta Modulation with a One-BitMemory”, Bell System Technical Journal, Vol. 49, No. 2, March 1970. Toconserve power, most of the CODEC 1038 is turned off when there are noread/write operations to the memory. The receiver 1012 is furthercoupled by line 1023 to an audio amplifier 1040. Operating in responseto decoder 1014, the real time audio signal on line 1023 is applied toaudio amplifier 1040 that supplies the analog signals to sound output1037. In particular, decoder 1014 controls audio amplifier 1040 via line1062 to apply either the real time audio signal on line 1023 or thesynthesized audio signal on line 1021 to sound output 1037.

Decoder 1014 is coupled to memory 1050 that serves to includeinformation for decoding the received information and for storinginformation received from CODEC 1038. The CODEC 1038 provides theanalog-to-digital conversion in memory 1050 as digital voice messages.In this embodiment each digital voice message is stored in conjunctionwith associated caller identifying data. As previously described, suchdata could be textual, synthesized audio or graphical data. Thisassociated caller identifying data can be used to selectively accessvoice message records before selecting a particular voice record forreplay. A plurality of digital voice messages can be stored in memory1050. The decoder 1014 functions to alert the paging user, and to store,recall, and playback voice messages, as well as to store, recall, andplayback caller identification data.

The paging receiver of FIGS. 1 b and 1 c has a capacity of storing voicemessages and providing them to audio amplifier 1040 according to thestate of a plurality of inputs, such as the state of the controlswitches of input module 1042, the state of annunciation instructionsascertained by coincidence detector 1097 and prestored data recordscontained in memory 1050, and particular encoded annunciationinstructions received by receiver 1012 that comprise part of the messagedata.

A switch interface 1018 provides input capability for control switches1054-1078 and keyboard 1053. Display 1077 also may employ a switchinterface to allow for touch screen selection for data input, menuselection and the like. Illustratively, control switch 1054 is an on/offswitch for controlling power from battery 1016. Control switch 1056 is aplay switch for playing back voice messages previously digitized andstored in memory 1050. Control switch 1058 is a reset switch to resetthe paging receiver system and to monitor any real time audio signalscurrently being received. Control switch 1060 is a mode switch foroperating the decoder in one of three modes. These modes are the silent,push to listen (PTL) and normal modes.

The battery 1016 is shown connected to decoder 1014 through switchinterface 1018. Battery 1016 provides power to decoder 1014 through anenergy conservation means 1020, such as a DC to DC converter. Decoder1014 is additionally connected to a code memory 1022 that storespredetermined address information to which the paging receiver isresponsive. Code memory 1022 can also store such information as thesampling rate for digitizing the received audio messages. Output 1062from decoder 1014 controls whether real time audio signals on line 1023from receiver 1012 or synthesized audio signals on line 1021 from CODEC1038 are applied to audio speaker 1037. Communication between receiver1012 and decoder 1014 is achieved via line 1047. Selective call signalsfor the decoder 1014 are received by receiver 1012 and passed to decoder1014 through line 1047.

The operation of the paging receiver shown in FIG. 1 b is such that thereceiver 1012 is capable of receiving messages in any of several messageformats through antenna 1024. The decoder 1014 responds to the receivedsignals to analyze the data and select one of several decoding schemes,for appropriately decoding the incoming information received by receiver1012. As is well known with paging devices, the resulting decoded signalis tested for comparison with a designated pager address contained incode memory 1022. On detecting correspondence between the received anddecoded signal and the address in code memory 1022, the decoder 1014instructs the CODEC 1038 to digitize the real time analog voice signalsthat follows for storage in one memory 1050. The preferred embodimentsdescribed herein are not specifically limited to analog systems butcould also be adapted to a digital stored voice paging system in whichvoice or image data was transmitted in a compressed or uncompressedformat. An alert output signal may be produced by the decoder 1014 togenerate an alert indication to the pager user that a message has beenreceived and stored. In particular, the alert output signal from thedecoder 1014 is supplied to audio amplifier 1040 to produce an audiblesignal from the sound output 1037 indicative of receipt of a message.Alternatively the decoder 1014 can supply alert signals or data to audioamplifier 1040 and sound output 1037 and/or display 1077 in response toalert output instructions contained in prestored data records in thememory 1050 used in conjunction with coincidence detector 1097, or inresponse to alert instructions or caller identifying data received aspart of the message from receiver 1012 via line 1047.

If the user responds to the message alert, the user has the ability tohear the message in real time, depending upon the position of modeswitch 1060, or has the ability to hear only the associated calleridentifying data until the play key 1056 is depressed again. In anotheralternative embodiment, calls received which are determined to beconfidential by the coincidence detector 1097 and memory comparingagainst the received caller identifying data can be inhibited fromplayback until such time as a personal identification code is entered bythe user using the keyboard 1053 or display 1077 for example. In anotherembodiment, the message received could include a code with the messagedata that creates a confidential condition such that a personalidentification code must be entered before the particular message can beannunciated. Alternatively, the user could require all messages receivedto require entry of a personal identification code. Such securityfeatures are particularly useful in case the user wishes to preventother persons in the immediate vicinity from inadvertently hearingconfidential messages or in the case where the paging receiver is lost.

If the mode switch is in the normal mode, upon receipt of a voicemessage, the user hears an alert followed by the voice message.Simultaneously, the message is stored into a storage area in the memory1050, depending upon the bit rate of the CODEC 1038.

Referring to FIG. 1 c, another embodiment illustrates a sound input 1081which may have an integrated microphone 1082 or a releasably connectablesound input 1083. This allows sound data such as spoken voice orpersonal computer files such as .WAV files to be uploaded to the pagingreceiver device 1010 for storage in the memory. 1050 for alertannunciation. Such custom annunciations could be generated in responseto particular caller identifying data received as determined by thecoincidence detector 1097 and prestored data records in memory 1050, orcould be stored in code memory for default alert annunciation signalsupon receipt of a message or a particular condition within the pagingreceiver 1010 controlled by microcomputer 1026. Input switch module 1042includes a “RECORD” function key 1079 which can be used to startrecording or uploading of any sound through the sound input 1081 whenthe paging receiver 1010 is in a sound recording/uploading mode.

In addition, FIG. 1 c includes a DTMF tone decoder 1080 which can decodeDTMF audio signals received as part of the message data from receiver1012. The audio signals received can be supplied to the decoder 1080 andcorresponding numeric textual data can be displayed on the display 1077or supplied to a coincidence detector 1097 for comparison againstprestored data in memory 1050. Corresponding matching data records canthen be annunciated and/or displayed prior to annunciation of the voicemessage.

In FIG. 1 d is shown an autodialing type paging receiver in which DTMFdata received can be applied to a DTMF tone decoder and text to speechgenerator in a similar manner as described hereinbefore. Theembodiments, herein are especially useful in that a display member isnot necessary for the user to determine the identity of the callingparty as the telephone number may be annunciated. Such a device may beused in a stored voice paging system, in which DTMF entries are manuallyentered in conjunction with a voice message for transmission to anautodialing type paging receiver. The DTMF tones can be annunciated asvoice representations of DTMF digits received. For example, if the DTMFtone detector receives the dual tone frequencies of 1209 Hz and 697 Hzthen the text to speech generator will receive instructions from thetone decoder and the synthesized voice annunciation “ONE” will be heard.Different corresponding synthetic voice messages can be stored in ROM inthe text to speech generator for each of the various DTMF tonecombinations and generated in response to a depression of the “SPEAK”button or automatically generated in response to receipt of a messagewhen decoded by the DTMF tone decoder. The DTMF signals received may bestored in a memory as DTMF audio signals for playback through a soundsignal generator and speaker or may be converted to digitalrepresentations of the DTMF signals for application to a DTMF generator(not shown) for later redial.

In one preferred embodiment, textual caller identifying data such asname and telephone number information is received by the receiver alongwith any associated voice message in a stored voice paging receiver. Themicroprocessor can apply the received caller id data to a text to speechunit and display for annunciation and display.

Each subsequent message received can be stored in a memory contained ina detachable memory as described in FIG. 5 a. The detachable memory maybe a PCMCIA memory card that may allow transfer of voice messagesreceived from a voice mail center for subsequent archiving in a personalcomputer or the like.

The stored-voice paging receiver can also have a detachable keyboard orother input to allow for entry of memory records that can be used by acoincidence detector within the pager, as in a copending application.Upon receipt of caller identifying data, the coincidence detector cancompare the caller identifying data against prestored memory records toannunciate or display associated caller identifying data prior toannunciation of the voice message received.

In FIG. 3 a is shown the prior art method of receiving and transmittinga voice message to a stored-voice paging receiver. In FIG. 3 b is shownan improvement over the prior art method in which caller-identifyingdata is received, stored and associated with a voice message fortransmittal to a stored-voice paging receiver.

In FIGS. 4 a through 4 e are shown various alternative embodiments inwhich caller id data can be utilized within a stored voice pagingreceiver.

For example, in FIG. 4 a when a stored voice paging receiver receives amessage, a coincidence detector can generate a prestored audio alert.First, the called party enters textual data and a corresponding audioannouncement into the pager in advance. In this case, the number555-1212 could be entered by a data entry into the pager, and a voiceentry such as “home office” could be spoken into a sound inputaccessory, for storage in the pager memory. If the caller id data suchas 555-1212 were received, a coincidence detector would determine amatch with the previously entered number and the previously enteredaudio alert “home office” would be heard by the called party. Upondepression of a play key, the voice message could be heard. In the casewhere a match with the previously entered number was not determined,“unknown caller”, could be heard. The caller id data could be displayedand upon depression of a play button, the voice message could then beheard.

In FIG. 4 b is shown another alternative embodiment in which a voicepager allows a called party to associate certain pin numbers withcalling parties. For example, some callers may typically be of apersonal or confidential nature. The playback of messages from thesecallers may require entry of a PIN code prior to annunciation of anymessage. In this case, a coincidence detector could be employed whichanalyzes caller id data received and compares against a pre-storedcaller list. When a match is determined, particular caller messageswould not be heard until the proper PIN code was entered by the callingparty. When the correct code was entered, the caller id data could beannunciated or displayed until such time as the play key was depressed.Of a course, the caller id data could be inhibited from display orannunciation until such time as the proper pin code was entered by thecalled party. In this case then, a default alert signal could begenerated in response to receipt of a message that did not indicate theidentity of the calling party until the pin code was entered properly.Alternatively, the prompt for the pin code entry could be generated bythe pager after the receipt, display and annunciation of caller id databut prior to annunciation of the voice message from the calling party.

In FIG. 4 c is shown another alternative embodiment in which a voicepager receives DTMF audio signals along with a voice message. The voicepager could distinguish DTMF signals from the voice message data by useof a DTMF tone decoder within the pager. The DTMF tone decoder couldgenerate a corresponding textual or synthesized voice alertcorresponding to the caller id of the calling party. In addition, thedecoded DTMF signals could be employed with a coincidence detector todisplay or annunciate previously stored matching data records aspreviously described in FIG. 4 a. Further, the received audio DTMFsignals received could be used in place of a more conventional DTMFgenerator to generate a corresponding dialing signal for call back tothe calling party.

In FIG. 4 d is shown another alternative embodiment in which a voicepager can utilize a text-to-speech unit within the pager to annunciatetextual caller identifying data received.

In FIG. 4 e is shown another alternative embodiment in which a storedvoice pager can operate in one of three different modes: Announce modein which a coincidence detector is employed against all caller id datareceived automatically upon receipt; silent mode in which a coincidencedetector is employed against all caller id data received only upondepression of a play key; and a broadcast mode in which caller id datais displayed and/or annunciated and the voice data is annunciatedautomatically, without use of any coincidence detector. For example uponreceipt of a message when in the announce mode, a coincidence detectorcould be employed before an alert signal was generated. Upon detectionor non-detection of a matching record, the appropriate alert signalwould be generated and the unit would play the associated voice messageupon depression of the play key. Upon receipt of a message when insilent mode, the caller id data could be displayed but not annunciated.When the called party scrolled through the messages received by viewingthe display of various caller id data associated with voice messages, hecould then press a play key and the coincidence detector could generatean appropriate alert signal. If the play key was depressed again, thevoice message could be heard by the called party. Alternatively, asingle depression of the play key could cause the annunciation of thecaller id data and subsequent annunciation of the voice message. If thepager were in broadcast mode, the caller id data could be displayed andthe voice message received would be broadcast to be heard by the calledparty.

In FIG. 5 a, caller identifying data such as name and number data,particular voice or sound data for message alerting, pin code data,iconographic data such as logos or meaningful graphic images, photoimages of a calling party or other data is stored in a memory that isintegral to or detachable from the paging receiver. This data could betransferred from a PCMCIA memory card attached to the pager, or anintegrated memory within the pager that received data from an input suchas an infrared, serial or parallel connection with another device, or adata input means integrated in the pager such as a touch screen, soundinput accessory, keyboard, or some other means.

In FIG. 5 b is shown one embodiment of a display member 2308) within astored voice paging receiver (2307) in which caller identifyinginformation can be scrolled through prior to selecting a particularmessage for annunciation. Such a display could be of the type known as atouch screen which allowed also for programming of softkeys for variousfunctions to be performed such as scrolling, data entry, messageselection and the like. The particular urgency of a message receivedcould be indicated on such a display by a flashing iconographicindicator (2301), the caller id name and number data (2304) could bedisplayed, the duration of the voice message received could be shown(2303) and the time the message was received could be displayed (2302).In such cases where blocked caller id indicators were received, defaultmessage such as “blocked” (2306) or “unknown” could be displayed.

In FIG. 5 c is shown a caller id memory address register in which callerid data associated with voice messages received can be stored for laterrecall and display in a stored voice pager. This memory for the callerid data could be contiguous or separate from the memory used for thevoice messages received and could be applied to a display as describedpreviously. The voice message stored in memory can be annunciated afterselection of a displayed caller identifying record by the called party.

In addition, fax header or E-mail information received at the messagecenter could be used alternatively as caller identifying information.FIGS. 6 a and 6 b summarize one embodiment of this concept. The messagecenter could, for example, upon detection of a CNG tone, storeconventional fax header information received for retransmission to apaging center or for transmission to a personal communicator directlyfrom a paging transmitter integral or directly connected to the messagecenter. The fax header or Email information could be transmitted to apersonal communicator device that has prestored caller data contained ina memory along with a comparing means. The caller data could include avariety of information corresponding to frequent callers, includingname, address, telephone number, fax number, and E mail addresses foreach calling party. Additionally, a prestored voice annunciationcorresponding to the identity of a caller or a prestored video imagerepresentative of the calling party could also be included in eachcaller record. Upon detection of a coincidence between the fax or E mailor other data received, the other associated data from the correspondingdata record could be made available to the called party.

FIG. 11 provides a simplified block diagram of a telephone network, inaccordance with the prior art, which will be utilized to describe somefundamentals of telephony which may be necessary to understand theinventions herein. As is shown, telephone network 9 can be utilized toallow call-originator 11 to utilize telephone 13 to place a telephonecall to call-receiver 15, which utilizes telephone 17 to receive such acall. Fairly elaborate switching networks 19 and 21 connectcall-originator 11 and call-originator 15 to central office 23 oftelephone network 9.

In central office 23, there is a source of electrical current,identified as talk battery 25, which is utilized to determine whether ornot a particular telephone (i.e., telephone 13 or 15) is in the“on-hook” or “off-hook” condition. If the handset of a particulartelephone is lifted from the cradle of the telephone, the telephone goesfrom an on-hook condition to an off-hook condition. When a particulartelephone is in an off-hook condition, dial tone generator 27 at centraloffice 23 of telephone network 9 is utilized to generate an audible dialtone which indicates to the telephone operator that an outgoing call maybe initiated. For example, call-originator 11 may lift the handset fromthe cradle of telephone 13, and receive an audible dial tone through theoperation of dial tone generator 27 and central office 23.

After call-originator 11 dials the telephone number of call-receiver 15,ring generator 29 at central office 23 generates a plurality of ringsignals that are sent through switching network 21 to telephone 17 toalert call-receiver 15 that a call is incoming. Once call-receiver 15lifts his or her handset off of the cradle of telephone 17, voice path31 is established between call-originator 11 and call-receiver 15.

In accordance with current. Bell standards, caller-identificationinformation may be transmitted, automatically, between call-originator11 and call-receiver 15, through telephone network 9, in a manner thatwill be described below with reference to FIGS. 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c. Inthe United States of America, in accordance with the BellcoreSpecification No. 220, the transmission must occur between the first andsecond rings. In FIG. 12 a, such caller-identification informationsignals transmitted to call-receiver 15 are depicted in simplified form,with caller-identification information 39 occurring between first ring35 and second ring 37. The Bellcore Specification requires thatcaller-identification information 39 occur at least 500 millisecondsafter first ring 35 ceases. Thus, the signal that represents thecaller-identification information will begin transmission one-half ofone second, or longer, after the termination of first ring 35.Caller-identification information 39 is transmitted serially, utilizinga frequency-shift-keying technique, which is well known in the priorart.

The Bellcore Specification also requires that the transmission ofcaller-identification information 39 end at least 427 milliseconds priorto the commencement of second ring 37. Typically, there is a four secondinterval between first ring 35 and second ring 37, so a significantamount of time is available for the communication ofcaller-identification information. Altogether, there is available aperiod of 2,570 milliseconds for the transmission ofcaller-identification information, not including pauses required by theBellcore Specification (such pauses or periods of silence are requiredat the beginning and end of the message). At 1,200 baud, this messageinterval is sufficient to transmit 3,084 bits, or 308 bytes.

The blocks of data which make-up the caller-identification information39 is set forth in block diagram form in FIG. 12 b. The first componentof the caller-identification information is a synchronization signal 41which comprises a channel seizure signal having a duration of 250milliseconds of frequency-shift-keying encoding of a bit pattern ofalternating zeros and ones. Such a synchronization signal is utilized toprovide a recognizable pattern to alert applicable caller-identificationdecoding equipment that caller-identification information follows.Pre-message pause 43 follows synchronization signal 41, and has aduration of 150 milliseconds, plus or minus 25 milliseconds. The purposeof such a pre-message pause 43 is to condition the receiver for the datathat follows.

Next, message-type identifier 45 follows synchronization signal 41.Message type identifier 45 is typically one byte of data that identifiesthe type of caller-identification message which is being sent. There aretwo basic types of caller-identification messages, including: (1) onlynumeric data, which identifies the telephone number for the source ofthe telephone call; and (2) numeric data, which identifies a telephonenumber for the source of the telephone call, along with hexadecimalrepresentation of alphabetic characters that contain the directory nameassociated with the telephone number of the source telephone. Inaccordance with the Bellcore Standard, 04 hexadecimal identifies asingle message caller-identification message, while 80 hexadecimalidentifies a caller-identification message that includes both atelephone number and a name.

Next, message byte count 47 provides an indication of the total lengthof the caller-identification information. This is important because thedirectory name associated with the source telephone number will have adifferent length for each particular name.

Thereafter, sub-message type 49 identifies the type of submessage thatis transmitted with the caller-identification information. Sub-messagelink 51 identifies the length of the sub-message which follows.

Message 53 consists of information that is described in more detailbelow with respect to FIG. 12 c. Message 53 is followed by checksum byte55 that, in accordance with the prior art techniques, provides achecksum total to ensure that data received has not been lost or alteredin any way during the transmission. The receiving unit of acaller-identification decoder generates a checksum in response to theentire caller-identification bit stream, and thereafter compares thischecksum with checksum byte 55. If these checksums match, then no bitswere lost in the transmission; however, if the checksum generated by thecaller-identification decoder does not match checksum byte 55 receivedat the decoder, then one or more data bits may have been lost in thetransmission, and the information may be unreliable or unusable.

The final component of a caller-identification message is post-messagepause 57, which is a quiescent period prior to second ring 37 of FIG. 12a.

With reference now to FIG. 12 c, message 53 will be described in greaterdetail. The first eight bits of the message include month bits “MM”, daybits “DD”, hour bits “HH”, and minute bits “MM”. These eight bitsprovide the month and date, along with the hour and minute, in militarytime, of the telephone call. Note that no information is providedregarding the year.

The next portion of message 53 is either (1) a ten digit telephonenumber, or (2) a single digit that identifies that caller-identificationinformation is either (a) not available, or (b) has been blocked tomaintain the caller's privacy.

If caller-identification information is not available, the ASCIIcharacter “0” is transmitted. If the caller-identification informationhas been blocked for reasons of privacy, the character P is transmitted.However, if the caller-identification information is neither unavailablenor blocked, then a ten digit bit stream follows. The first three bits,“AAA” identify the area code; the next three bits, “PPP”, identifyingthe prefix; and the final four bits, “EEEE”, identify the exchange. Forexample, if the source phone number is 702-731-1113, then M=702,PPP=731, and EEEE=1113.

The next portion of message 53 is caller-identification informationwhich identifies the name associated with the particular precedingtelephone number. If this information is unavailable, a single character“0” is provided. If this information is blocked for reasons of privacy,a single character “P” is provided. However, if this information is bothavailable and not blocked, a multi-bit string follows which sets forth aname associated with the particular preceding telephone number (forexample, “John Doe”).

Therefore, considered broadly, caller-identification information may besolely data which identifies a telephone number associated with thetelephone unit utilized to place a call, or the telephone numberassociated with the telephone unit utilized to place the call incombination with alphabetic characters identifying a name associatedwith that particular number in a telephone directory (i.e., a telephonedirectory data base). In either event, whether the directory name isprovided or not, this information can be considered to be the“caller-identification information.” The particular details of thecaller-identification standards in the United States of America are setforth in the publications of the Bell Communications ResearchLaboratories, which are identified as “Bellcore”, and include (1)Technical Reference No. TR-TSY-00032, issued Nov. 1, 1986, and entitled“CLASS(sm) Feature: Bulk Calling Line. Information”; (2) TechnicalReference No. TR-TSY-000030, issued Jan. 1, 1990, entitled “CLASS(sm)Feature: Calling Number Delivery”; and (3) Technical Reference No.TANWT-001188, issued Mar. 1, 1991, entitled “CLASS(sm) Calling NameDelivery and Related Features Generic Requirements”; all of which areincorporated herewith by reference as if fully set forth.

FIG. 13 depicts one embodiment wherein numeric paging network 61 isutilized to receive caller-identification information via interactionwith telephone network 9 in response to call-originator 11 communicatingthrough telephone network 9 with central office 59 of numeric pagingnetwork 61. In this configuration, numeric paging network 61 may beutilized to transmit the numeric portions of caller-identificationinformation, and not the alphanumeric portions. FIG. 13 includestelephone network 9, which includes components identical to thosediscussed above in connection with FIG. 11, with the only differencebeing that a page request telephone call is received by call receiver15, which is located within numeric paging network central office 59.Between the first and second rings received by call receiver 15, thecaller-identification information is routed through telephone 17 todecoder 63.

Decoder 63 comprises a conventional caller-identification decodercapable of receiving the frequency-shift-keyed caller-identificationsignal, and decoding it into a bit stream representative of theinformation described above in connection with FIGS. 12 b and 12 c. Theportion of information corresponding to the telephone number ofparticular telephone 13 being utilized by call originator 11 is providedas an input to decoder 63. Additionally, telephone 17 is utilized toreceive any optional numeric message that is input by call-originator 11and transmitted over voice path 31 during the time interval provided.

The decoded numeric information which corresponds to the telephonenumber of the telephone utilized by call-originator 11, and any numericmessage input by call-originator 11 are assembled in message buffer 65,which pushes the serial bit stream to transmitter 67 in accordance witha predefined protocol. The invention may utilize the predefinedcommunication protocol identified as the Post Office CodeStandardization Advisory Group (POCSAG) code. Such a code comports withthe formats provided by the International. Committee CCIR, which hasstandardized message coding for radio frequency transmissions. Both thePOCSAG code and CCIR standards are well known by those skilled in theart, and both are incorporated herein by reference as if fully setforth, but are not essential to the main concepts of the embodiments.

Transmitter 67 provides a radio frequency communication link 69 thatcommunicates information from numeric paging network central office 59to personal communication device 71. Personal communications device 61may be a receive-only device, such as a paging device, or a moresophisticated bi-directional communication device, such as a personalcommunication device or personal digital assistant, such as the personaldigital assistant sold under the trademark “Macintosh Newton” by AppleComputer, or the product sold by AT&T under the trademark “EO”.Preferably, personal communication device 71 at least includes display73, which is utilized to display information based, at least in-part,upon information contained within a database resident within personalcommunication device 71, or in-part upon information transmitted overradio frequency communication link 69 from central office 59 of numericpaging network 61.

FIG. 14 provides a block diagram representation of another embodimentwherein alphanumeric paging network 75 is utilized to receivecaller-identification information. Such caller-identificationinformation which may be received includes numeric informationcorresponding to the telephone number of telephone 13 utilized by calloriginator 11 to engage alphanumeric paging network 75, and alphanumerictext which identifies the “entity” listed in a telephone directory(i.e., a database) as the owner of the particular telephone numberassigned to telephone 13. Call-receiver 15 receives the incoming callthrough switching network 21 on behalf of alphanumeric paging network75. Call-receiver 15 is located within alphanumeric paging networkcentral office 77.

The caller-identification information is routed from telephone 17 todecoder 79, where it is converted from the frequency-shift-key formattransmitted within telephone network 9, to an acceptable binary orhexadecimal format. Such decoded caller-identification informationincludes numeric caller-identification information which corresponds totelephone 13 utilized by call-originator 11 to engage alphanumericpaging network 75, as well as alphanumeric textual information whichidentifies the “entity”, as listed within the telephone directorydatabase, which has ownership of that particular telephone number, alongwith other additional formatting information which was described abovein connection with FIGS. 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c.

This decoded caller-identification information is pushed from decoder 79to message buffer 81, and may also be provided to automated checkingroutine 83. Automated checking routine 83 receives caller-identificationinformation and formulates a textual or synthesized voice query, whichmay then be utilized to communicate with call-originator 11 to verifythe telephone number for telephone 13 (which was derived from thecaller-identification information) as well as the “entity” identity(which was also derived from the caller-identification information). Thequery may include the following questions:

(1) The caller-identification information provided to us through thetelephone network indicates that the telephone number from which you areplacing this call is AAA-PPP-EEEE; please depress your telephone key padnumber “1” if this information is correct, or depress telephone key pad“2” if this information is incorrect.

(2) Your previous response has indicated to us that the telephone numberprovided through the caller-identification is incorrect. Please enteryour correct telephone number at this time beginning with the area code.

(3) The caller-identification information provided to us through thetelephone network indicates that this telephone number is assigned to“NNNNNNN”; please press “1” if this information is correct. If thisinformation is not correct, please hold for an operator.

(4) Please stand by for an operator if you desire to leave a detailedmessage; otherwise, please hang-up and your page will be directed to theintended recipient which you should now identify by depressing the keyson your telephone key pad, with the area code being entered first.

(5). If no detailed message is desired, hang-up and your page will bedirected to area code “AAA”, telephone number “PPP-EEEE”. Thank you.

After this automated verification of the caller-identification numberoccurs, human operator 85 may be made available to call-originator 11 totake a detailed alphanumeric textual message. Human operator 85 keys aparticular message into message buffer 81 prior to transmission of themessage by transmitter 87, via radio frequency communication link 89, toa remotely located personal communication device 91 that includesdisplay 93. Upon receipt of the page, personal communication device 91generates information for display in display 93 based at least in parton at least one of: (1) information communicated via radio frequencycommunication link 89; or (2) information contained within a databasemaintained within personal communication device 91.

While FIGS. 13 and 14 have been described with reference to a numericpaging network and an alphanumeric paging network, the embodiments maybe utilized with an alphanumeric paging network which allows forcommunication of a variety of page-originator generated messages, in avariety of formats. Such messages may be provided to the portablepersonal communication device in a variety of formats, including:

-   -   (1) textual information which include either numeric only, or        alphanumeric data;    -   (2) digitized voice or audio information which may be        communicated in analog form through the telephone network to the        central office of the alphanumeric paging network, where the        information is then digitized, and transmitted in a digital        format which, upon reception, may be reconstructed to define an        analog voice or audio signal which drives an audio output device        resident in the personal communication device; or    -   (3) digitized image information, such as a video image or an        iconographic representation of information, which may be        transmitted over the voice channel of the telephone network and        received at the central office of the alphanumeric paging        network, where it is then digitized, and transmitted to the        remotely located personal communication device, where the        digital information is reconstructed into an image which may be        displayed on a display resident in the personal communication        device.

Given this variety of message-format inputs, the personal communicationdevice can provide an equally impressive array of display options.Textual input (including numeric and alphanumeric characters) can bedisplayed in a conventional manner on a simple and relativelyinexpensive, alphanumeric LCD display. Additionally, text that isprovided as input to the personal communication device via the radiofrequency communication link, may be utilized with a voice synthesizerto provide synthesized voice as an output from an audio output deviceresident in, or coupled to, the personal communication device.

Alternatively, an alphanumeric or numeric input supplied to the personalcommunication device may be utilized to recall one of a plurality ofprestored audio output messages. For example, a table may be providedwhich identifies particular alphanumeric codes as corresponding toparticular audio output messages. The binary characters “1111” maycorrespond to the audio output message “phone home now”. Alternatively,a different code, such as “001,” may correspond to the audio outputmessage “phone your office now”. The prerecorded and predetermined audiooutput messages may define a plurality of messages which alert thepage-receiving communicant that a page has been received from aparticular source, and indicating a particular urgency or requesting alevel of diligence in response thereto.

Of course, as another option, digitized audio or voice data may bereconstituted into analog format to provide an audio outputcorresponding almost directly to the audio input provided by thepage-originating communicant over the telephone lines to the centraloffice of the paging network.

Digitized images may also be transmitted to the personal communicationdevice in this manner for display on a more elaborate display, such as apersonal computer-type display. Finally, digitized audio may be providedas an input to the personal communication device, which, in turn, may beutilized to generate a combination of signals, which may include anaudible signal, or a preselected image, such as an icon, which may beplaced on the display.

FIG. 15 provides one example of the utilization of a numeric messagecode, which is input at the personal communication device, to generate atextual message which provides, to the page-receiving communicant,information that allows him or her to respond in an appropriate mannerto the page. As is shown in FIG. 15, the message code number column onthe left corresponds to a textual message code on the right. Receipt ofthe “*1” message code results in the display of the message “call whenyou return” on the personal communication device. The receipt of themessage, code “*2”, results in the display of the textual message “voicemail received” on the personal communication device. Receipt of the “*3”message code results in the display of the textual message “faxmail“received” on the personal communication device. Receipt of the “*4”message code results in the display of the textual message “electronicmail received” on the personal communication device. Receipt of the “*5”message code at the personal communication device results in the displayof the textual message “image data received”. Receipt of the “*6”message code results in the display of the textual message “other datareceived” on the personal communication device. Finally, receipt of the“*911” message code at the personal communication device results in thedisplay of the textual message “call immediately”.

Of course, other various preselected and predefined textual messages arepossible. To facilitate the use of this system, the paging network mayprovide a synthesized-voice and keypad driven exchange between thecall-originating communicant and the central office of the pagingnetwork. Such an interface may be utilized until the variouspage-originating communicants learn one or more of the most usefulmessage codes. After such message codes are learned, a user maythereafter bypass the synthesized-voice menu. Preferably, theinformation provided to the page-receiving communicant is stored inmemory within the personal communication device for review at a latertime. Typically, the personal communication device includes memorybuffers sufficient to hold a selected number of messages received viathe paging network, and other corresponding data.

FIG. 16 provides a view of one way in which the data received from thepage-originating communicant may be organized. Such organized data maybe stored at either the central office of the paging network or withinthe memory allocated for such purpose within the personal communicationdevice. As illustrated, a plurality of locations are provided forstoring caller-identification information (i.e., locations in the firstcolumn), DTMF data which may be entered by the page-originatingcommunicant by utilizing the telephone handset (the second column), andcaller message data which may be provided by the page-originatingcommunicant through utilization of a variety of messaging techniques,but in this example, an alphanumeric messaging technique, such as thatdiscussed above with respect to FIG. 15.

FIGS. 17, 18, 19 a, 19 b, and 19 c provide views of three alternativephysical configurations for the personal communication device. Personalcommunication device 101 of FIG. 17 allows for two-way communicationwith the paging network. Personal communication device 101 includesdisplay 103, which is preferably a display of the type utilized inportable personal computers, such as notebook computers. Display 103 maybe utilized to display information, such as caller-identificationinformation 105. Caller-identification information 105 may include analphabetic identification of the name associated with the telephonenumber transmitted with the caller-identification information, or mayinclude optional message 107 input by the page-originating communicantduring the request for a page via the telephone network.

In FIG. 17 is shown telephone number data 108 extracted from data shownas in FIG. 22 which is displayed on display 103.

As is shown, other information 109, such as an address associated withthe page-initiating communicant 105, may be retrieved from a database inthe memory of the personal communication device and displayed along withthe caller-identification information on display 103.

Personal communication device 101 of FIG. 17 also includes keyboard 111and graphical pointing device 113, such as a touch pen, which may beutilized to select icons, menu buttons, or other items displayed in agraphical user interface. Preferably, personal communication device 101allows two-way communication, and includes a cellular link to thetelephone network and/or paging network. Additionally, data card 115 maybe provided to load personal communication device 101 with apreconfigured database containing information pertaining to parties withwhich frequent communication may occur.

FIG. 18 provides a view of an alternative personal communication device117, which allows only one-way communication; personal communicationdevice 117 may receive information from the paging network, but may notdirectly originate an outgoing communication with the telephone network,or with the paging network. As is shown, personal communication device117 includes display 119, which may display identification 121 of thepage-originating communicant, along with his or her address. Telephonefield 123 is also provided for displaying a telephone number at whichthe page-originating communicant may be reached. Furthermore, shortmessage 125 may be provided to indicate either (1) the type ofinformation that has been received at the paging network, or (2) thedegree of urgency attached to the particular information received.

Data card 127 may be utilized to load personal communication device 117with additional database information. In the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the information displayed in display 119 is based atleast in-part upon caller-identification information, and at leastin-part upon information recalled from the database resident in thememory of personal communication device 117 or within data card 127. Asis shown in FIG. 18, keyboard 129 is provided to allow thepage-receiving communicant a means to enter or manipulate data withinthe database.

A third, and still different, embodiment of the present invention isdepicted in FIGS. 19 a, 19 b, and 19 c. FIG. 19 a provides a view of thebottom portion of personal communication device 131. Note that audiooutput device 133 is provided. Mechanical coupler 135 provides a meansfor acoustically coupling personal communication device 131 to anytelephone equipment, particularly the mouthpiece of a telephone handset,against which audio output device 133 is disposed.

In FIG. 19 a data connector 134 and battery cover 132 is shown.

FIG. 19 b provides a side view of personal communication device 131 ofFIG. 19 a. Note that RJ11 telephone jack power switch 137 is provided toconnect the telephone line to personal communication device 131.

FIG. 19 c provides a view of the top portion of personal communicationdevice 131. Display 139 is provided to receive and display numeric data,alphanumeric data, and images. A plurality of icons 141 are providedabout display 139, each of which is dedicated for the communication ofparticular information. For example, icon 143 is representative of aclock, and may be utilized to indicate to the page-receiving communicantthat time-sensitive information has been communicated to the pagingnetwork. For an alternative example, icon 145, which depicts atelephone, is provided to indicate to the page-receiving communicantthat a telephone message has been received by the paging network. Avariety of other dedicated iconographic representations are providedabout display 139, each of which is dedicated to communicate particular,predefined information to the page-receiving communicant pertaining toinformation deposited at the paging network.

The device depicted in FIGS. 19 a, 19 b, and 19 c allows only thereceipt of information from the paging network, and utilizes thededicated icons to communicate particular types of information to thepage-receiving communicant. This allows the small display 139 to beutilized for less-routine types of information.

FIG. 20 provides a block diagram view of portable communication device201. As is shown, portable communication device 201 includes centralprocessing unit 203, which preferably comprises a microprocessor. Themicroprocessor of central processing unit 203 interacts with theplurality of hardware and software components. Key pad input unit 231communicates with central processing unit 203 to allow for the operatorto depress particular keys on a keyboard thereby inputting data intoportable communication device 201. Receiver unit 233 is utilized toreceive radio frequency communication from the paging central office.Decoder unit 235 is utilized to decode radio frequency signals receivedfrom receiver unit 233. Decoder unit 235 communicates with centralprocessing unit 203 to power-up central processing unit 203 when a pagenotification intended for portable communication device 201 is receivedat receiver unit 233. ID-ROM 237 is utilized to record in memory aparticular numeric or alphanumeric identifying information that isprovided to code each particular portable communication device in apaging network so that it is responsive to a particular radio frequencytransmission. ID-ROM 237 records the particular identification codeassigned to that particular communication device.

Central processing unit 203 communicates through display buffer 205, ina conventional manner, to place numeric data, alphanumeric data, andimages, such as icons, on display unit 207. Light-emitting-diode 211 isprovided to provide a flashing indication of the receipt of a page. LEDdriver 209 is positioned intermediate central processing unit 203 andLED 211, to allow central processing unit 203 to drive LED 211 in avariety of flashing patterns. Sound-signal generating unit 213 iscoupled between central processing unit 203 and audio output device 215.Central processing unit 203 provides binary control signals tosound-signal generating unit 213 that result in the output of aparticular tone, at a particular volume and a particular frequency. DTMFsignal generating unit 217 is coupled between central processing unit203 and audio output device 215. It is utilized, when desired, togenerate dialing tones which may be communicated through audio outputdevice 215 to the mouthpiece of a telephone to place a call utilizingthe telephone network. Buffer 219 is coupled to central processing unit203 and DTMF signal generating unit 217, and is provided for queuing ofDTMF generating signals. Voice processing unit 221 is coupled to centralprocessing unit 203 to allow the analog-to-digital and digital-to-analogconversion of speech and other audio input 102 of FIGS. 7 and 102 ofFIG. 9 c or output 133 of FIGS. 7 and 133 of FIG. 9 a.

Several housekeeping functional blocks are also provided in the view ofFIG. 20. RAM 229 is provided as a memory cache. In the preferredembodiment of the present invention, a database including a plurality offields that identify actual or potential communicants by name, address,and appropriate telephone and facsimile numbers, is resident within RAM229. Character generator 225 communicates with central processing unit203 to generate particular alphanumeric characters in response tocommands from central processing unit 203. MAC/PC download memory 227operates a data-exchange buffer to allow for the communication of databetween central processing unit 203 and personal computer 239. Personalcomputer 239 may be utilized to store in memory the database that isintermittently downloaded through MAC/PC download memory 227 for storagein RAM 229. As is shown in FIG. 20, personal computer 239 is coupled ina node mail network which allows for voice mail service (VMS), fax mailservice (FMS), electronic mail service (EMS), paging system (PS),images, and connection to information services.

FIG. 21 provides a flowchart representation of the technique inaccordance with an embodiment for communicating information between apage-originating communicant and a page-receiving communicant. Theprocess starts at software block 251, wherein the page-originatingcommunicant (user) utilizes the telephone network to access an automateddata entry system. As discussed above, upon establishment of a voicecircuit between the telephone unit utilized by the page-originatingcommunicant and the paging center, the caller identificationinformation, if any exists, is automatically transferred to the centraloffice, where it is decoded and preferably utilized in accordance withsoftware block 255 in a recorded menu exchange, wherein the informationis verified and/or corrected and/or supplemented.

In software block 257, the page-originating communicant enters optionaldata. This optional data may be numeric data, alphanumeric data,digitized speech, facsimile messages, or images. In accordance withsoftware block 259, the paging system identifies when the data entry hasbeen completed, and confirms the data entry in accordance with softwareblock 261. In accordance with software block 265, the paging networkverifies the data, preferably by displaying it or otherwise making itavailable to the page-originating communicant. In accordance withsoftware block 263, the page-originating communicant hangs-up, and then,in accordance with software block 267, the data, including thecaller-identification information and any optional or other dataattached to the page information, is transmitted via radio frequencycommunication link 269 to portable communication device 271.

The most common application of an embodiment requires that thepage-originating communicant enter either numeric or alphanumeric datawhich is identified with the caller-identification information. Uponreceipt by portable communication device 271, at least one of either thenumeric caller-identification information, or the alphabeticcaller-identification information, or the optional data entered by thepage-originating communicant is compared to one or more data fields in adatabase which is maintained within memory (preferably RAM 229 of FIG.20) of portable communication device 271 (of FIG. 21).

FIG. 22 depicts one example of such a database. As shown, there are fivedata fields associated with each entry: a telephone number field, a faxnumber field, a name 9 field, an “other data” field (preferably utilizedfor addresses) and a notification type and intensity field.

In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the numeric oralphanumeric data entered by the page-requesting communicant is comparedto an appropriate data field. For example, if the page-originatingcommunicant entered numeric telephone data as part of the page request,this numeric telephone data is compared to numeric data fields that arerepresentative of telephone numbers in order to determine if one or morematches exist. If a match exists, it is probable that thepage-requesting communicant is the entity identified in an associateddata field. For example, if a telephone number is entered in the pagerequest which corresponds to the first number in the database, it ishighly likely that Mr. Hashimoto, the first name in the database, is thepage-originating communicant.

The caller-identification information is also compared with one or moredata fields in the database. In one specific embodiment, numerictelephone data from the caller-identification information is compared tonumeric fields which represent telephone numbers, in order to determineif one or more matches exists. If no matches exist, it is highly likelythat Mr. Hashimoto is calling from a telephone which is not ordinarilyassociated with him. The page-receiving communicant can then decide toeither return the call immediately, or defer it to a later time. In thisevent, the page-receiving communicant knows that Mr. Hashimoto is thelikely page-originating communicant, and that he can be reached at thisparticular time at the number identified in the caller-identificationinformation. In this manner, a protocol can be devised whichautomatically access one or more of: (1) numeric or alphabeticcharacters that are located within the caller-identification signal;and/or (2) numeric or alphanumeric characters entered by thepage-originating communicant into one or more data fields, in order toidentify the likely identity of the page-originating communicant, and tofurther to identify whether the likely page-originating communicant iscalling from a familiar telephone or an unfamiliar telephone.

In instances where the caller-identification information fails toproduce a match, the page-receiving communicant may be provided with aparticular type of notification to indicate that a person is contactinghim or her, or attempting to contact him or her, and such a person isnot listed within the database at this time. This may prompt the ownerof the personal communication device to utilize a key pad or alternativemeans to enter that entity upon return of the telephone call.

The notification type field is interesting, insofar as it is userconfigurable, allowing the page-receiving communicant to identify aparticular type, or subtype, of paging notification with one or moreparticular likely communicants. For example, LED displays from LED 201(of FIG. 20) may be utilized to identify work associates, while audiotones emitted from audio output device 215 (of FIG. 20) may be utilizedto indicate that friends or family are attempting to notify thepage-receiving communicant.

Preferably, the user may establish intensity levels or sequence levelsfor particular types of page alert notifications. For example, thenotation “VI” indicates a visual indication with a high intensity. Incontrast, the notation “BL” may denote a beep (that is, audio output) ofa low intensity. Still, in further contrast, the notation “T” mayidentify that, for this particular potential communicant, only textualmessages should be utilized to identify receipt of the page. In thishierarchical structure, the entity which is assigned the “T”notification type and intensity, is a fairly low priority potentialcommunicant, while the communicant which has the “VI” notification typeand intensity indicator identified therewith is a relatively highpriority communicant. In this manner, the page-receiving communicant maybe able to prioritize his or her return phone call activities.

A variety of mechanisms by which the owner of the portable communicationdevice may enter data, revise data, or review data are depictedgraphically in FIGS. 23, 24, 25, and 26.

FIG. 23 depicts a portable communication device with a detachable inputinterface, such as keyboard 301, which releasably connects throughconnector 303 to paging receiver 307. Display 305 is also included inpaging receiver 307. Paging receiver 307 also includes pager operationswitches 309. The owner of this paging device may selectively releasablyconnect keyboard 301 to paging receiver 307, and then depress one ormore keys on keyboard 301 to enter data at a cursor location which ispresented within display 305. This device stands in sharp contrast withthe device of FIG. 24, which includes keyboard 311 that is substantiallypermanently coupled to paging receiver 313. Paging receiver 313 alsoincludes display 315. Paging receiver 313 preferably includes pageroperation switches 317. The operator may utilize keyboard 311 to enteror modify data within display 315. More particularly, the operator mayutilize keyboard 311 to add or modify data contained in the plurality offields of the database maintained within the memory of the portablecommunication device.

FIG. 25 provides yet another alternative embodiment contemplated. As isshown, paging receiver 321 is provided, and can be selectively andreleasably coupled to a personal computer 327 via a serial hardwireline, a parallel hardwire line, an infrared link, or a radio frequencylink. Personal computer 327 may be utilized to create and maintain thedatabase with a plurality of data fields, including such fields ascommunicant's name, communicant's telephone number, communicant's faxnumber, communicant's address, and a field containing anoperator-selectable notification attribute or type. Such data may beintermittently transferred between personal computer 327 and pagingreceiver 321, and maintained within a random access memory within pagingreceiver 321.

Paging receiver 321 includes display 323 and pager operation switches319, which allow for conventional paging functions. In this embodiment,the data contained within the database of paging receiver 319 isperiodically refreshed by the owner by conducting memory dumps frompersonal computer 327 to paging receiver 321. Upon receipt of a pagenotification, the caller identification information and/or optional datainput by the page-originating communicant is compared with one or morefields of the database contained within the memory of paging receiver321.

FIG. 26 provides a view of yet another alternative embodimentcontemplated in the present invention. In this system, a veryinexpensive paging unit, with limited display capabilities, includes amemory for the receipt of the database with a plurality of data fieldsincluding communicant's names, communicant's phone numbers,communicant's fax numbers, communicant's addresses, and anyuser-selected notification attribute identified to that particularcommunicant. The communication is periodically dumped in a methodicalfashion from personal computer 329 via wireless infrared communicator331 to portable paging receiver 333.

FIGS. 27 and 28 provide block diagram views of the software and hardwarecomponents which facilitate the communication of the database between acomputing device, such as a personal computer, and the portablecommunication device. In accordance with FIG. 27, the personal computingdevice 401 includes operating system 403, desktop application programs405, data files 407, and intellect communication software 409 which isresident in memory within the computing device, and which is utilized inthe transfer of information between computing deice 401 an the portablecommunication device 413, which includes download memory 419 which isadapted to receive the database information. As is shown, the portablecommunication device 413 may be connected via either hardwarecommunication link 411, local infrared communication 415, or remotetelephone input 417. In FIG. 28, a laptop architecture is displayed forlaptop 421, which includes operating system 423, personal informationmanager 425, data files 427, PCMCIA interface 429 and communicationsoftware 431 which facilitates the transfer of information from thememory of the laptop computing device 421 to the portable computingdevice 433.

FIG. 29 depicts yet another technique for entering and modifying datawhich is present within the database present within the memory of theportable communication device. As is shown, the page-receivingcommunicant inputs data on a physical form 435, which identifiescommunicant's names, communicant's telephone numbers, communicant's faxnumbers, communicant's addresses, and any associated notificationattribute for that particular communicant. Alternatively, information isprovided via an automated user input request system 437 which preferablyutilizes either a portable computing device, a stationary computingdevice, or a telephone to input data which is to be communicated viaradio common carrier 439 to paging transmitter 441, which communicatesvia radio frequency communication link 443 to paging receiver 445. Thetechniques for modifying the database are depicted in flowchart form inFIG. 30. The process starts at software block 451, and continues atsoftware blocks 452, 453, and 454, wherein data is either manuallyentered or automatically entered and routed 1 through software block453. In accordance with software block 455, data is processed at a radiocommon carrier, and transmitted to software block 457, where it isdetermined whether local programming is required, if so, the processcontinues at software block 459; if not, the process continues atsoftware block 460. In either event, data is communicated to portablecommunication device 461 for creation, supplementation, or modificationof the database contained in memory in portable communication device461. In accordance with the flowchart of FIG. 30, software blockrequires that message code cards be printed, and delivered in accordancewith software block 458 to a dealer or customer. The software stepsassociated with the utilization of these code cards is depicted inflowchart form in FIG. 31. In accordance with software block 465, thepage customer receives the printed message card along with the pager atthe beginning of pager service. In accordance with software block 467,the page customer distributes the message cards to callers, andinstructs them to fill the data fields in the cards. In the flow of FIG.31, the cards are distributed to callers A, B, and C in accordance withsoftware blocks 469, 471, and 473. The callers consult their messagecards, and enter the code data, and transmit it through telephone office477 to radio common carrier 479, which forwards it to paging transmitter41, which establishes a radio frequency link with portable communicationdevice 43.

FIGS. 32 and 33 depict two types of standardized message code cards. Thecard of FIG. 32, the call-receiving communicant's pager ID number 605 isidentified, along with the telephone number for the paging center 603.Then, a plurality of numeric or alphanumeric codes are provided in afield 601, with an area to the right for providing numeric oralphanumeric messages 607 which correspond to the numeric oralphanumeric codes. For example, the numeric value “0” may correspondsto the answer “no”, while the numeric value “1” may correspond to theanswer “yes”. In the view of FIG. 33, an alternative standardizedmessage code card is provided, which provides alphanumeric or numericcharacters with alphabetic textual messages. For example, the numericcode “11” corresponds to the message “pick up the kids”. Additionally,the potential communicant can enter phone data and fax data in fieldswhich are dedicated for that purpose. This information is entered on awide number of cards by people who are likely to communicate with thepaging subscriber. They are mailed in or entered in by the potentialcommunicants, to form a database which is periodically communicated tothe page receiving apparatus.

While the invention has been shown in only one of its forms, it is notthus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modificationswithout departing from the spirit thereof.

1. A method of automatically updating a database in a wireless portablecommunication device, wherein the database contains contact data that isassociated with actual or potential communicants, comprising: initiatinga message from a message originator to a message recipient under thecontrol of the message originator; receiving at a message center coupledto a communications network both message originator information providedautomatically by the communications network as the caller ID identifyingthe telephone number of the message originator, and a non-facsimilepicture obtained from the message originator prior to transmitting thecaller ID to a wireless portable communication device; causing thecommunications network to wirelessly transmit the caller ID and thepicture from the message center to the wireless portable communicationdevice; maintaining contact data in a database resident in a computersystem, the contact data comprised of at least one of name, telephonenumber, address, sound or image information; transmitting updated and/ornew contact data from the computer system to the wireless portablecommunication device using a radio frequency communication link, and;receiving the transmitted updated and/or new contact data in thewireless portable communication device and updating the databaseresident in the wireless portable communication device.
 2. A method asin claim 1 wherein the wireless portable communication device is apersonal digital assistant.
 3. A method as in claim 1 wherein thewireless portable communication device is a cellular telephone device.4. A method as in claim 1 wherein the wireless portable communicationdevice is a two-way pager.
 5. A method as in claim 3 wherein thecellular telephone device includes a two-way pager.
 6. A method as inclaim 1 wherein the wireless portable communication device furtherincludes a detachable input interface that may be used to add or modifycontact data contained in the wireless portable communication device. 7.A method as in claim 2 wherein the personal digital assistant furtherincludes a detachable input interface that may be used to add or modifycontact data contained in the personal digital assistant.
 8. A method asin claim 3 wherein the cellular telephone device further includes adetachable input interface that may be used to add or modify contactdata contained in the cellular telephone device.
 9. A method as in claim4 wherein the wireless portable communication device further includes adetachable input interface that may be used to add or modify contactdata contained in the wireless portable communication device.
 10. Amethod as in claim 1 wherein said step of maintaining contact data isperformed utilizing an automated user input request system.
 11. A methodas in claim 1 wherein the wireless portable communication device is alsocapable of receiving caller id information which is automaticallysupplied from the communications network.
 12. A method as in claim 2wherein the personal digital assistant is also capable of receivingcaller id information which is automatically supplied from acommunications network.
 13. A method as in claim 3 wherein the cellulartelephone device is also capable of receiving caller id informationwhich is automatically supplied from a communications network.
 14. Amethod as in claim 4, wherein the two-way pager device is also capableof receiving caller id information which is automatically supplied froma communications network.
 15. A method as in claim 5 wherein thecellular telephone device is also capable of receiving caller idinformation which is automatically supplied from a communicationsnetwork.
 16. A method as in claim 1 wherein the database residing in thewireless portable communication device is periodically refreshed byconducting memory dumps from the computer system.
 17. A method as inclaim 1 wherein the database residing in the wireless portablecommunication device is intermittently transferred between the wirelessportable communication device and the computer system.
 18. A method asin claim 1 wherein the wireless portable communication device isselectively and releasably coupled to the computer system.
 19. A methodas in claim 1 wherein data in the wireless portable communication deviceis intermittently downloaded from the computer system.
 20. A method asin claim 1 wherein the database in the wireless portable communicationdevice is stored in a removable data card.
 21. A method as in claim 2wherein the database in the personal digital assistant is stored in aremovable data card.
 22. A method as in claim 3 wherein the database inthe cellular telephone device is stored in a removable data card.
 23. Amethod as in claim 4 wherein the database in the two-way pager is storedin a removable data card.
 24. A method as in claim 5 wherein thedatabase in the cellular telephone device is stored in a removable datacard.
 25. A method as in claim 5 wherein the database in the cellulartelephone device further includes a detachable input interface that maybe used to add or modify contact data contained in the wireless portablecommunication device.
 26. A method as in claim 6 wherein the detachableinput interface is a keyboard.
 27. A method as in claim 7 wherein thedetachable input interface is a keyboard.
 28. A method as in claim 8wherein the detachable input interface is a keyboard.
 29. A method as inclaim 9 wherein the detachable input interface is a keyboard.
 30. Amethod as in claim 25 wherein the detachable input interface is akeyboard.
 31. A method of automatically updating a database in awireless portable communication device, wherein the database containscontact data that is associated with actual or potential communicants,comprising: initiating a message from a message originator to a messagerecipient under the control of the message originator; receiving at amessage center coupled to a communications network both messageoriginator information provided automatically by the communicationsnetwork as the caller ID identifying the telephone number of the messageoriginator, and a non-facsimile picture obtained from the messageoriginator prior to transmitting the caller ID to a wireless portablecommunication device; causing the communications network to wirelesslytransmit the caller ID and the picture from the message center to thewireless portable communication device; maintaining contact data in adatabase resident in a computer system, the contact data comprised of atleast a name; transmitting updated and/or new contact data from thecomputer system to a wireless portable communication device using aradio frequency communication link, and; receiving the transmittedupdated and/or new contact data in the wireless portable personalcommunication device and updating the database resident in the wirelessportable communication device.
 32. A method of automatically updating adatabase in a wireless portable communication device, wherein thedatabase contains contact data that is associated with actual orpotential communicants, comprising: initiating a message from a messageoriginator to a message recipient under the control of the messageoriginator; receiving at a message center coupled to a communicationsnetwork both message originator information provided automatically bythe communications network as the caller ID identifying the telephonenumber of the message originator, and a non-facsimile picture obtainedfrom the message originator prior to transmitting the caller ID to awireless portable communication device; causing the communicationsnetwork to wirelessly transmit the caller ID and the picture from themessage center to the wireless portable communication device;maintaining contact data in a database resident in a computer system,the contact data comprised of at least a telephone number; transmittingupdated and/or new contact data from the computer system to a wirelessportable communication device using a radio frequency communicationlink, and; receiving the transmitted updated and/or new contact data inthe wireless portable communication device and updating the databaseresident in the wireless portable communication device.
 33. A method ofautomatically updating a database in a wireless portable communicationdevice, wherein the database contains contact data that is associatedwith actual or potential communicants, comprising: initiating a messagefrom a message originator to a message recipient under the control ofthe message originator; receiving at a message center coupled to acommunications network both message originator information providedautomatically by the communications network as the caller ID identifyingthe telephone number of the message originator, and a non-facsimilepicture obtained from the message originator prior to transmitting thecaller ID to a wireless portable communication device; causing thecommunications network to wirelessly transmit the caller ID and thepicture from the message center to the wireless portable communicationdevice; maintaining contact data in a database resident in a computersystem, the contact data comprised of at least an address; transmittingupdated and/or new contact data from the computer system to a wirelessportable personal communication device using a radio frequencycommunication link, and; receiving the transmitted updated and/or newcontact data in the wireless portable communication device and updatingthe database resident in the wireless portable communication device. 34.A method of automatically updating a database in a wireless portablecommunication device, wherein the database contains contact data that isassociated with actual or potential communicants, comprising: initiatinga message from a message originator to a message recipient under thecontrol of the message originator; receiving at a message center coupledto a communications network both message originator information providedautomatically by the communications network as the caller ID identifyingthe telephone number of the message originator, and a non-facsimilepicture obtained from the message originator prior to transmitting thecaller ID to a wireless portable communication device; causing thecommunications network to wirelessly transmit the caller ID and thepicture from the message center to the wireless portable communicationdevice; maintaining contact data in a database resident in a computersystem, the contact data comprised of at least a sound; transmittingupdated and/or new contact data from the computer system to a wirelesspersonal communication device using a radio frequency communicationlink, and; receiving the transmitted updated and/or new contact data inthe wireless portable communication device and updating the databaseresident in the wireless portable communication device.
 35. A method ofautomatically updating a database in a wireless portable communicationdevice, wherein the database contains contact data that is associatedwith actual or potential communicants, comprising: initiating a messagefrom a message originator to a message recipient under the control ofthe message originator; receiving at a message center coupled to acommunications network both message originator information providedautomatically by the communications network as the caller ID identifyingthe telephone number of the message originator, and a non-facsimilepicture obtained from the message originator prior to transmitting thecaller ID to a wireless portable communication device; causing thecommunications network to wirelessly transmit the caller ID and thepicture from the message center to the wireless portable communicationdevice: maintaining contact data in a database resident in a computersystem, the contact data comprised of at least image information;transmitting updated and/or new contact data from the computer system toa wireless portable communication device using a radio frequencycommunication link, and; receiving the transmitted updated and/or newcontact data in the wireless portable communication device and updatingthe database resident in the wireless portable communication device.